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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
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3 1833 02293 5677
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2010 with funding from
Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
http://www.archive.org/details/biographicalhistpjlfOOgood
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jglaski, J efferson, L onoke, F aalkner, Grant, Saline, Perry,
Garland and^ Hot Spring C ounties, Arkansas,
COMPRISINO
A Condensed History of the State, a Number of Biographies of Distinguished Citizens of
the san]e, a Brief Descriptive History of eachi of the Counties above named, and
numerous Biograpl^ical Sketches of their Promineqt Citizens.
ChICBGO. NflSHyiLLE HND St. LoUIS:
THE GOODSPEED PUBLISHING CO.
i ^
1217074
'his beautiful volume has been prepared in response to the popular demand
for the preservation of local history and biographj'. The method of prep-
aration followed is tlie most successful and the most satisfactory yet devised
— tlie most successful in tlje enormous number of volumes circulated, and
the most satisfactory in the <;;eneral preservation of pei'sunal biography
and family record, conjointly with local history. The number of volumes
)w being distributed seems fabulous. Careful estimates place the number
fculated in Ohio at 50,000 volumes; Pennsylvania, 60,000; New York, 75,000;
idiaua, 40,000; Illinois, 40,000; Iowa, 30,000; Missouri, 25,000; Kansas,
),000; Tennessee, 20,000; Kentucky, 2p,000; Georgia, 20,000; Alabama, 20,000,
id all the other States at the same proportionate rate. The entire State of
rkansas has as yet scarcely been touched by the historian, but is now being
[)idiy written.
The design of the present extensive biographical and historical research is to
gather and preserve in attractive form, while fresh with the evidence of truth, the enormous fund
of [jerishing occurrence. In gathering the matter iov the historical .sketclies of the counties, it
was thought wisest, owing to the limited space, to collate and condense only the most valuable
items, by reason of which such sketches are a credit to the book, and of permanent worth.
In the preparation of this volume the Publishers have met with nothing but courtesy and
assistance from the public. Nothing promised is omitted, and much not promised is given.
About fifty pages of State history were guaranteed; over twice that number are given. Special
care was employed and great expense incurred to render the volume accurate. In' all cases the
personal sketches were submitted by mail, and in most instances were corrected and returned
l)y the subjects themselves. Coming as they do from the most illustrious families of the State
— all worthy citizens from the upper, middle and lower classes — they form in themselves the
most complete account of the Northeast Counties ever written, and their great value to future
generations will be warmly acknowledged by all thoughtful {)eople. With many thanks to their
friends for the success of such a difficult enterprise, the Publishers respectfully tender this fine
volume to their patrons.
THE PUBLISHERS.
December, 1889.
--i — -!i,n
CHAPTER I.
(luoloK'y — Importance of (ieolostic Study — Area ami Cli-
mate — Boundaries — Priueipal Streams of tlie State —
The Mountain Systems — Tlie Great Springs — Diversity
of Soils — Caves — Tbe Mines, Their Wonderful Deposits
and Formations 9-18
CHAPTER II.
Archaeology — Renuiins of Flint Arrow and Spear Heads,
and Stone and Other Ornaments — Evidences of Prehis-
toric People along the Mississippi — Mounds, etc., in
Other Portions of the State — Local Arclijcologists and
Their Work — The Indians — Tribal and Race Character-
isties — The Arkansas Tribes — The Cession Treaties —
The Removal of the Cherokees, Creeks and Choctaws —
An Indian Alarm — Assassination of the Leaders, etc.,
etc li»-33
CHAPTER III.
Discovery and Settlement — De Soto in Arkansas — Mar-
quette and Joliet — La Salle, Hennepin and Tonti —
Frencli and English Schemes of Conquest and Dreams
of Power — Louisiana — The "Bubble" of John Law —
The Early Viceroys and Governors — Proprietary Change
of Louisiana — French and Spanish Settlers in Arkan-
sas — English Settlers — A Few First Settlers in the
Counties — Tln^ New Madrid Earthquake — Other Items
of Interest 24r-m
CHAPTER IV.
Organization — The Viceroys ;md (ioveniors — The Attitude
of the Royal Owners of Louisiana — The District Divided
— The Territory of Arkansas Formed from the Territory
of Missouri — The Territorial Government — The First
Legislature — The Seat of Government^Other Legisla-
tive Bodies — The Duello — Arkansas Admitted to State-
hood — The Constitutioual Conventions — The Memor-
able Reconstruction Period — Legislative Attitude on
the Question of Secession — The War of the Governors,
etc., etc 'MrAi
CHAPTER V.
Advancement of tlie State — Misconceptions Removed —
Effects of Slavery upon Agriculture — Extraordinary
Improvements Since the War — Important Suggestions
— Comparative Estimate of Products — (irowtli of the
Manufacturing Interests — Wonderful Showing of Ar-
kansa.s— Its Desirability as a Place of Residence— State
Elevations i'V
CHAPTER VI.
Politics— Importance of tlie Subject— The Two Old Schools
of Politicians— Triumph of the Jacksonians — Early
Prominent State Politicians — The Great Question of
Secession — The State Votes to Join tlie Confederacy —
Horror of tlie War Period — The Reconstruction Distress
—The Baxter-Brooks Embroiflio .52
CHAPTER VII.
Societies, State Institutions, etc. — The Kii Klux Khm—
Independent Order of Odd Fellows — Ani'icut, Free and
Accepted Masons — Grand Army of the Keiiulilic — Bu-
reau of Mines — Arkansas Agricultural Associations —
State Horticultural Society— The Wheel— The State
Capital — The Capitol Building — State Lilirarie-s — State
Medical Society — State Board of Health — Deaf Mute
Institute — School for tlie Blind — Arkansas Lunatic
Asylum — Arkansas Industrial University — The State
Debt SIMU
CHAPTER VIII.
The Beneli and Bar — An Analytic View of the Profession
of Law — Spanish and French Laws — English Common
Law — The Legal Circuit Riders — Territorial Law and
Lawyers— The Court Circuits — Early Court Officers —
The Supreme Court — Prominent Members of the State
Bench and Bar — The Standard of the Execution of Law
in the State 8.5-7.3
CHAPTER IX.
The Late Civil War— Analytical View of the Troublous
Times — Passage of the Ordinance of Secession' — The
Call to Arms— The First Troops to take the Field— In-
vasion of the State by the Federal Army— Sketch of the
Regiments— Names of Ofticers— Outline of Field Oper-
ations — Cleburne and Yell — Extracts from Private
Memoranda— Evacuation of tlie State — Re-occupation
—The War of 1813— The Mexican War— Standard of
American Generalship 73-81
CHAPTER X.
Public Enterprises — Tlie Real Estate Bank of Arkansas —
State Roads and other Highways — The Military Roads
— Navigation within the State from the Earliest Times
to the Present — Decadence of State Navigation — Steam-
boat Racing — Accidents to Boats — The Rise and Growth
of the Railroad Systems — A Sketch of the Difierent
Lines — Other Important Considerations 83-87
CHAPTER XI.
The Counties of the State— Their Formation and Changes
of Boundary Lines, etc. — Their County Seats and Other
Items of Interest Concerning them — Defunct Counties
— New Counties — Population of all the Counties of the
State at every General Census 87-93
CHAPTER XII.
Education — The Mental Tj-jje Considered — Territorial
Schools, Laws and Funds — Constitutional Provisions
for Education — Legislative Provisions — Progress since
the War — The State Superintendents — Statistics —
Arkansas Literature — The Arkansaw Traveler 93-97
CHAPTER XIII.
The Churches of Arkansas — Appearance of the Mission-
aries — Church Missions Established in the Wilderness —
The Leading Pi'otestant Denominations — Ecclesiasti-
cal Statistics — General Outlook from a Religious
Standpoint 98-101
CHAPTER XIV.
Names Illustrious in Arkansas History — Prominent Men-
tion of Noted Individuals — Ambrose H. Sevier — Will-
iam E. Woodruff — John Wilson — John Hemphill —
Jacob Barkman — Dr. Bowie — Sandy Faulkner — Samuel
H. Hempstead — Trent, Williams, Shinn Families, and
Others — The Conways — Robert Crittenden — Arcliibald
Yell— Judge David Walker— Gen. G. D. Royston—
Judge James W. Bates 103-113
CHAPTER XV.
Legal Aifairs of the Second Judicial District — The Pioneer
Bar — Early Inconveniences and Experiences — Lawyers ■
of Fifty Years Ago — Original Territory of the Second
District — Litigation — Hon. Samuel C. Roane — Otliei
Prominent Practitioners — John Selden Roane — .Tames
Yell — Martin W. Dorris — Judge Euclid Johnson —
Judge Isaac W. Baker — Hon. William H. Sutton —
Hon. Chester Ashley — Frederick W. Trapnell — Robert
W. Johnson— Gen. Albert Pike— Retrospective 113-134
CHAPTER XVI.
Jefferson County — Pre-Historic Inhabitants — Removal of
the Indians — Sarrasin — First White Settlement — Land
Entries — County Formation — Seat of Justice — Change
of Boundaries — Physical Descriijtion — Drainage — Vari-
ety of Soil — Forests — Desirability as a Place of Resi-
dence — Statistical Estimates — Public Buildings and
Seat of .lustice — Transportation — County Societies —
Po]iulation and Finances — Political Outlook — Judicial
Affairs — Cities, Towns, Etc. — War Experiences — Scho-
lastic and Church Matters — OUicial Directory — Selected
Family Sketches 134^3.30
CHAPTER XVII.
Saline County — Original Boundary — County Seat — Public
Buildings — Judiciarj- — EarlyCourt Transactions -Crim-
inal Calendar — Beginning of Settlement — Pioneer Rem-
iniscences — Early Comers — Local Colonies — List of
Offlcers — The County in the Civil War — Commercial
Centers— Journalistic Enterprises — Secret Social Or-
ganizations — Moral and Spiritual Affairs — Financial
Representation — Location — Descriptive Analysis — Nat-
ure of Soil, Surface, Products, etc. — Resources — Ad-
vantages Offered — Biographical 331-318
CHAPTER XVIII.
Hot Spring County — Location and Boundary — Area —
Division into Townships — Natural Drainage — Streams
and Water Power — Diversity of Soil — Adaptability to
Cultivation — Timber — Productions — Fruit Growing
Properties — Crops — Lumber — Stock Interests — Cliuuite
— First Occupancy — Early Permanent Settlers— Pioneer
Life — Title to Lands — Act of Organization — County
Seat — Directory of Officials — Advance in Population —
Courts of the County — Political Prospects — Civil War
History — Free School System — Spiritual Welfare —
Municipalities — County Buildings — General Resources
—Local Personal Memoirs 319-300
CHAPTER XIX.
History of Pulaski County — Location, Topography and
Geology — Soil Deposits — Natural Wealth — Census Re-
turns — .\grieultural Resources and Prosperity — Fruit
Culture — Assessment and Taxation-^Railroad Facili-
ties — Statistics of Population — Period of Permanent
Habitation — First Settlers Named — Land Entries — Pio-
neer Recollections — Era of Construction — Creative Act
— County Seat— Municipal Divisions — Public Edifices —
List of County Dignitaries — Judicial History — Legal
Practitioners — Matters Politic — Pulaski's Civil War
Record — Sketch of Little Roclv — Its Varied Interests —
United States Arsenal — Newspaper Press — The Code
Duello — Other Business Centers — Educational Ad-
vancement — Public and Private Schools — Religious
Condition— Biography 361-534
CHAPTER XX.
Garland County — Area — Topography and Boundary —
Springs and Streams — Physical Geograpliy — Organiza-
tion of the County— Public Buildings — The Townships
— Real and Personal Property — Valuation and Ta.xa-
tion — County Officers — Population — Politics — Courts —
The Civil War— Its Effects— The Hot Springs— The
Reservation — The City of Hot Springs — Advice to
Health Seekers— Educational matters— The Churches
—Miscellaneous Statistics— Pcrscjnal Record, etc. .53.5-571
CHAPTER XXI.
Lonoke County — Religious and Educational Advantages —
Organization — County Seat and Buildings — Municipal
Townships — Real and Personal Property — Era of Settle-
ment — Hunting Reminiscences — Officers — Population
— Political Status — Legal Matters — Physical Features —
Streams — Timber — Kind of Soil — Railroad — Resources
— Agricultural Products — Stock Interests — Military
Affairs — Municipalities — Selected Family Records ..57:Wi.5S
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXII.
Perry County — Rosourccs — Stock Interests — County Of-
fieiTS, with Turm of Service— Politics and Poi)ul;ition—
LocatiiMi, Boundary, (ieolog-y, etc. — Pliysical Formula
—Streams— Natural Products- The Era of Settlement
— County Organization — Division — Townships — Taxa-
tion— Stock— The War— Pulilie Schools — Clmrcli Or-
ganizations — Courts and Practitioners — OfHeial Delib-
erations—The Towns and Villages — Personal Mem-
oranda fi.59-703
CHAPTER XXIII.
Faulkner County— Seat ot -Justice— Struclures for Pulilii-
Use — Change in Boundary — Ministers of Public Service
— Election Statistics — Population Returns — Real and
Personal Property and Taxation — Location — Surface
Formation and Area — Diversity of Strata — Natural
Characteristics — Sources of Revenue — Products — Live
Stock — Time of Original Occupancy— Highways — .Ju-
dicial Affairs and Bar — During the War Period — Busi-
ness Points and Centers — Schools and Churches —
General Condition — Personal Memoirs 70:^-74.5
CHAPTER XXIV,
Grant County — Its Erection — Name — Township Formation
— Early Coiirts and Buildings — Record of Public Serv-
ants — Societies — Taxable Wealth — Highways — Recol-
lections of Long Ago — Time of Settlement — First
Things — The People in War — Bench and Bar — School
History — Churches — Towns, Villages and Postofflces —
Topography, Geology, etc. — Territorial Area and Pop-
ulation — Surface Presentation — Physical Features —
Products— Biographical 747-'
CHAPTER XXV.
Prominent Colored Citizens ,if Central Arkansas- I'rof. .J.
T. Bailey— Hon. M. W. (iilibs — Ferd Havis — Frank
Jackson — Wiley .Jones — William Laiwrtc — .\. M. Mid-
dlebrooks— A. S. Moon— William Peters- Major P.
Pointer— Simon R. Rawls— W. A. Rector— A. L. Rich-
mond — Calvin Sanders — Dr. .J. H. Smith — Pleasant Tate
—George W. Walker— Solomon Winfrey 79.5-SOS
;,OXvMXv,^^l
-l-J-S-
Gov. James P. Eagle between GO- 01
Judge Joseph W. Bocage 135-136
Col. M. L. Bell 153-154
Joseph Merrill 19,5-196
Col. McH. Williams 335-336
Jesse W. Pitts (deceased) 267-268
S. Geisreiter 308-309
P. D. English 363-864
Maj. John D. Adams 413-414
Dr. Roderick L. Dodge 441-142
Roscoe Greene Jennings, M. D 469-470
View of Thomas Cotton Press Works ^. . 507-508
Hiram A. Whittington 569-.570
J. M. W. Murphy r 65.3-654
Thomas F. Sorrells 695-696
W. P. Grace 7.37-738
Wiley Jones 799-SOO
ISTOHY ^ OF
AS.e-
iliif at. I.
Geology— Importance of Geologic Study— Area and Climate— Boundaries— Principal Streams
OF THE State— The Mountain Systems— The Great Springs— Diversity' of Soils-
Caves— The Mines, their Wonderful Deposits and Formations.
Such blessings Nature pours,
O'erstocked mankind enjoys but balf her stores. — Toiing.
HE matter of first impor-
tance for every civilized peo-
ple to know is the economic
geology of the country they
inhabit. The rocks and the
climate are the solution in
the end of all problems of
life, as they are the prime sources
from which all that human beings
can possess comes. The measure of
each and every civilization that has
adorned the world is in exact de-
gree with the people's knowledge
-,of the natural laws and the envi-
ronments about them.
The foundation of civilization
rests upon the agriculturists, and
nothing can be of more importance to this class
than some knowledge of what materials plants are
composed, and the source from whence they de-
rive existence; the food upon which plants live
and grow; how they are nourished or destroyed;
what plant food is appropriated by vegetation
itself, without man's aid or intervention, through
the natural operations in constant action. The
schools will some day teach the childi'en these use-
ful and fundamental lessons, and then, beyond all
perad venture, they will answer very completely
the lately propounded question: " Are the public
schools a failure ? ' ' The knowledge of the ele-
mentary principles of the geology of this cotintry
is now the demand of the age, made upon all na-
tions, in all climes.
The character of vegetation, as well as the
qualities of the waters and their action upon vege-
table and animal life, is primarilj^ determined
by the subjacent rocks on which the soil rests.
Earth and air are but the combinations of the
original gases, forming the solids, liquids and the
atmosphere surrounding the globe. The soil is
but the decomposed rocks — their ashes, in other
words, and hence is seen the imperative necessity of
the agriculturist understanding something of the
rocks which lie beneath the land he would success-
fitlly cultivate. He who is educated in the simple
fundaiiiental principles of geology — a thing easier
to learn than is the difference in the oaks and pines
of the forest — to him there is a clear comprehension
of the life-giving qualities stored in the surface
rocks, as well as a knowledge of the minerals to be
10
HISTORY OF ARKANSA.S.
found in their company. A youth so educated
possesses incomparable advantages over his school
companion in the start of life, who has concentrated
his energies on the classics or on metaphysical 8i;b-
jects, vphether they enter the struggle for life as
farmers, stock raisers, miners or craftsmen. It
is as much easier to learn to analyze a rock, min-
eral or soil, than to learn a Greek verb, as the one
is more valuable to kno-w than the other. All true
knowledge is the acquirement of that which may
aid in the race of life, an education that is so prac-
tical that it is always helpful and useful.
The geology of Arkansas, therefore, so far as
given in this chapter, is in fact but the outline of
the physical geography of one of the most interest-
ing localities of the continent, and is written
wholly for the lay reader, and attempted in a
manner that will reach his understanding.
Within the boundary lines of the State are 53,-
045 square miles, or 33,948,800 acres. It has
3,868,800 more acres of land than the State of
New York, and multiplies many times the com-
bined natural resources of all the New England
States. It has 2,756 miles of navigable rivers.
It had a j)opulation in 1880, as shown by the
census, of 802, 525. Of these there were 10, 350
foreigners and 210,666 colored. In 1820 the Ter-
ritory had a population of 14,255; in 1830, of 30,-
338; in 1840, of 97,554; in 1850, of 209,897; in
1860, of 435,450; in 1870, of 481,471. (This
was the Civil War decade.) In 1885 the popula-
tion had advanced about 200,000 over the year
1880, or was near 1,000,000. In 1887 it reached
the figures of 1,260,000, or an increase of more
than a quarter of a million in two years, and there
is reason to believe this increased ratio will pass
.beyond the two million mark in the next census.
At least, an increase of one hundred per cent in
the ten years is indicated. Keeping in mind that
there are no great populous cities in the State, it
will be known that this has been that healthy in-
crease of population which gives glowing promises
for the future of the State. Here the agricultural
districts, and the towns and cities, have kept even
pace, while in some of the leading States of the
Mississippi Valley the great cities have grown
while the rural population has markedly decreased.
These are serious problems to reflective minds in
those States where the cities are overgrowing and
the country is declining. Happily, Arkansas is
troubled with no such indications of the disturbed
natural distribution of its people. The State,
since it emerged from the dark and evil days of
civil war and reconstruction, has not only not been
advertised in regard to its natural resources, but
has been persistently slandered. The outside world,
more than a generation ago, were plausibly led
to believe the energy of its citizens was justly
typified in the old senseless ballad, "TheArkan-
saw Traveler," and the culture and refinement of
its best people are supposed to be told in the
witty account of Judge Halliburton's " First Piano
in Arkansas." The ruined hopes, the bankrupted
fortunes and the broken hearts that are the most
recent history of the Western deserts, form some of
the measure the poor people are paying for the de-
ceptions in this regard that have been practiced
upon them. These silly but amusing things have
had their effect, but they were pleasant and harm-
less, compared to tln^ latest phase of pretexts for
persistent publications of the cruelest falsehoods
ever heaped upon the heads of innocent men. But,
in the end, even this will do good; it is to be seen
now among the people. It will put the people of
the State upon their mettle, resulting, if that is
not already the fact, in giving it the most orderly,
law abiding, peaceful and moral people of any
equal district of the Union.
The State is in the central southern portion of
the great Mississippi Valley, and in climate, soil,
rocks, minerals and water may well be designated
as the capital of this ' ' garden and granary of the
world," with resources beneath the surface that
are not, taken all together, surpassed on the globe.
Its eastern line is the channel of the Mississippi
River "beginning at the parallel 36° of north lati-
tude, thence west with said parallel to the middle
of the main channel of the St. Francois (Francis)
River; thence up the main channel of said last men-
tioned river to the parallel of 36° 30' of north lati-
tude; thence west with the last mentioned parallel,
or along the southern line of the State of Missouri,
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
11
to the southwest corner of said State; thence to be
bounded on the west to the north bank of Red
River, as designated by act of Congress and treat-
ies, existing January 1, 1837, deiining the western
limits of the Territory of Arkansaw, and to be
bounded west across and south of Red River by
the boundary line of the State of Texas as far as
the northwest corner of the State of Louisiana;
thence easterly with the northern boundary line of
said last named State to the middle of the main
channel of the Mississippi River; thence up the
middle of the main channel of said last mentioned
river, including an island in said river known as
Belle Point Island, and all other land as originally
surveyed and included as a part of the Territory, or
State of Arkansas, to the 36° of north latitude, to
the place of beginning."*
The State includes between its north and south
boundary lines the country lying between parallel
of latitude 33° north, and parallel of latitude 36°
30 ' north, and between its east to west lines the
country between longitude 90° and a little west of
longitude 94° 80'. Its geographical position on
the continent assures the best conditions of tem-
perature, salubrity and rainfall, this being shown
by the absence of the intense heat and the cold
storms of the higher latitudes and the drouths of
the west.
From the meteorological reports it is learned
that the average rainfall in the State during June,
July and August is sixteen inches, except a narrow
belt in the center of the State, where it is eighteen
*The above descriptive boundary lines are in the au-
thoritative language of the State Constitutional Conven-
tion. To understand the south and west lines necessitates
a reference to the treaties and acts of Congress. The fol-
lowing would simplify the descriptive part of the west
and south lines: Beginning at the southwest corner of
Missouri, or in the center of Section 19, Township 31,
Range 3i west of the tifth principal meridian line, thence
in a straight line south, bearing a little east to strike the
east line of Section 4. Township 8 north. Range 32 west;
thence in a straight line south, bearing a little west to
where the line strikes Red River in Section 14. Township
13 south, Range 33 west; thence along said river to the
southwest corner of Section 7, Township 14 south. Range
28 west; thence south to the northwest corner of the north-
east quarter of Section 18, Township 20 south, Range 28
west; thence east along the 33^ of latitude to the middle
of the channel of the Mississippi River; thence up said
river to the place of beginning. The State lines run
with the lines of latitude and the meridional lines, and
not with the government surve}' lines.
inches, and a strip on the western portion of the
State, where it is from eight to fourteen inches.
Accurate observations covering fifteen years give
an average of seventy-five rainy days in the year.
Of twenty-three States where are reported 134
destructive tornadoes, four were in Arkansas.
The annual mean temperature of Los Angeles,
Gal. , is about 1° less than that of Little Rock.
The watershed of the State runs from the
north of west to the southeast, from the divide of
the Ozark Mountain range, except a few streams
on the east side of the State, which flow nearly
parallel with the Mississippi River, which runs a
little west of south along the line of the State.
North of the Ozark divide the streams bear to a
northerly direction.
Of the navigable rivers within its borders the
Arkansas is navigable 505 miles; Bartholomew
Bayou, 68 miles; Black River, 147 miles; Current
River, 63 miles; Fourche La Favre River, 73
miles; Little Missouri River, 74 miles; Little Red
River, 48 miles; Little River, 98 miles; Missis-
sippi River, 424 miles; Ouachita River, 134 miles;
Petit Jean River, 105 miles; Red River, 92 miles;
Saline River, 125 miles; St. Francis River, 180
miles; White River, 619 miles.
These streams flow into the Mississippi River
and give the State an unusual navigable river
frontage, and they run so nearly in parallel lines
to each other and are distributed so equally as to
give, especially the eastern half and the southwest
part of the State, the best and cheapest transporta-
tion facilities of any State in the Union. These
free rivers will in all times control the extortions of
transportation lines that are so oppressive to the
people of less favored localities.
The Arkansas River passes diagonally across
the center of the State, entering at Fort Smith, and
emptying into the Mississippi at Napoleon.
South of this the main stream is the Ouachita
River and its tributaries; the Saline River, which
divides nearl}' equally the territory between the
Arkansas and Ouachita Rivers; and the Little Mis-
souri on the southwest, which divides the territory
between the Ouachita and Red Rivers. North of
the Arkansas, and about equally dividing the ter-
12
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
ritory between the Mississippi and the Arkansas
Rivers, is White River, running nearly southeast.
Its main tributary on the v^est is Little Red River,
and on the northeast Black River, v?hich enters the
State from Missouri, and flows southwesterly and
empties into the White at Jacksonport, Jackson
County. Another important tributary is Cache
River, which flows a little west of south from Clay
County, emptying into the White near Clarendon.
Eel River is in the northeast corner of the
State and partially drains Craighead County.
Eleven Points, Currant, Spring and Strawberry
Rivers are important tributaries of Black River. St.
Francis River flows fi'om Missouri, and from 36°
30' north latitude to 36° north latitude it forms
the boundary line between Missouri and Arkansas,
and continuing thence south empties into the Mis-
sissippi a few miles above Helena.
Main Fork of White River rises in Madison
County and flows northwest in and through Wash-
ington County into Benton County; thence north-
east into Missouri, returning again to Arkansas iu
Boone County. Big North Fork of White River
rises in the south central part of Missoui'i, flows
southward, and forms its junction in Baxter County,
Ark. La Grue River is a short distance south of
White River; it rises in Prairie County and joins
the AVhite in Desha County. Middle Fork of
Saline River rises in Garland County and flows
southeast. Rolling Fork of Little River rises in
Polk and passes south through Sevier County.
Cassatot River also rises in Polk and passes south
through Sevier County. Clear Fork of Little
Missouri rises in Polk County and passes -south-
east. East Fork of Poteau River rises in Scott
County and runs nearly due west into the Indian
Territory. L'Augnille River rises in Poinsett
County and flows through Cross, St. Francis and
Lee Counties, and empties into the St. Francis
within a few miles of the mouth of the latter. Big
Wattensaw River rises in Lonoke County and runs
east into Prairie County, and empties into White
River. Muddy Fork of Little Missouri River rises
in Howard County and runs southeast. Yache
Grass River runs north through Sebastian County
and empties into the Arkansas River east of Fort
Smith. Terre Noir River runs from northwest to
the southeast in Clark County and empties into
Ouachita River. Sulphur Fork of Red River en-
ters the State fi'om Texas, about the center of the
west line of Miller County, and running a little
south of east empties into Red River. Sabine River
flows south through the central southern portions of
the State, and empties into the Ouachita River near
the south line of the State.
There are numerous creeks forming tributa-
ries to the streams mentioned, equally distributed
over the State, which are fully described in the re-
spective counties. Besides these water -courses
mention should properly be made of the nineteen
bayous within the State's borders.
The Ozark Mountains pass through the north-
ern portion of Arkansas, from west to east, and
form the great divide in the watersheds of the
State. Rich Mountains are in the central western
part, and run east from its west line, forming the
dividing line between Scott and Polk Counties,
and also between Scott and Montgomery Counties,
and run into Yell County.
South and east of the Rich Mountains are the
Silver Leaf Mountains, also running east and west
from Polk County, through Montgomery to Gar-
land County. These are the mountain formations
seen about Hot Springs. Sugar Loaf Mountain
is in Cleburne County, and receives its name from
its peculiar shape. It is in the northern central
part of the State. Another mountain of the same
name, containing the highest point in the State, is
in Sebastian Coiinty, and extends into the Indian
Territory. Boston Mountains are in the northwest-
ern part of the State, running east and west in
Washington, Crawford and other counties. These
include the main mountainous formations. There
are many points in these ranges that have local
names.
It would require volumes to give a complete
account of the variety of the innumerable sowings
which burst forth with their delicious waters —
warm, hot and cold, salt, mineral and medicated.
The fame of some of the medical, and the Hot
Springs of Arkansas, are known throughout the
civilized world, and pilgrims from all nations come
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
13
to be washed and healed in them. They were
known to and celebrated by the prehistoric peoples
of America; and the migrating buffaloes, ages and
ages ago, came annually from the land of the Da-
kotas to the spring waters of Arkansas. The in-
stincts of the wild beasts antedate the knowledge
of man of the virtues and values of the delicious
waters so bountifully given to the State. Nearly
all over its territory is one wonder after another,
filling every known range of springs and spring
waters, which, both in abundance of flow and in
medicinal properties, mock the world's previous
comprehension of the possibilities of nature in this
respect.
When De Soto, in June, 1542, discovered the
Mississippi River and crossed into (now) Arkansas,
and had traveled north into the territory of Mis-
souri, he heard of the "hot lakes" and turned
about and arrived in time where is now Hot Springs.
Even then, to the aborigines, this was the best-
known spot on the continent, and was, and had
been for centuries, their great sanitarium. The
tribes of the Mississippi Valley had long been in
the habit of sending here their invalids, and even
long after they were in the possession of the whites
it was a common sight to see the camp of repre-
sentatives of many different tribes. The whites
made no improvement in the locality until 1807.
Now there is a flourishing city of 10,000 inhab-
itants, and an annual arrival of visitors of many
thousands. The waters, climate, mountain air and
grand scenery combine to make this the great
world's resort for health and pleasure seekers, and
at all seasons of the year. The seasons round, with
rarest exceptions, are the May and October months
of the North.
In the confined spot in the valley called Hot
Springs there are now known seventy-one sjjrings.
In 1860 the State geologist, D. D. Owen, only
knew of forty. Others will no doubt be added to
the list. These range in temperature from 93°
to 150° Fahrenheit. They discharge over 500,000
gallons of water daily. The waters are clear, taste-
less and inodorous; they come from the sides of the
ridge pure and sparkling as the pellucid Neva ; hold-
ing in solution, as they rush up hot and bubliling
from nature's most wonderful alembic, every valua-
ble mineral constituent. In the cure, especially of
nearly all manner of blood and chronic diseases,
they are unequaled, and their wonders have be-
come mainly known to all the world by the liv-
ing and breathing advertisements of those who
have proven in their own persons their wonderful
curative powers. To reach Hot Springs and be
healed, is the hope and aspiration of the invalid,
when all other remedies have failed. And it is
but just now that the pleasure seeker, the tourist,
the scientist, and the intelligence and culture of
the world are beginning to understand that this
is one of the world's most inviting places to see
and enjoy.
But the marvels of the district are not confined
to the immediate locality of Hot Springs. Here
is indeed a wide district, with a quantity and variety
of medical springs that are simply inapproachable
on the globe. Going west from Hot Springs are sys-
tems of springs running into Montgomery County
a distance of forty miles. As continued discov-
eries of other springs in Hot Springs are being
made, and as these widely distributed outlying
springs are comparatively of recent disclosure, it
may be assumed that for many years to come new
and valuable springs will become celebTated.
In Carroll County, in the northwest part of
the State, are Eureka Springs, only second to Hot
Springs in the wide celebrity of fame as healing
waters. They, too, may well be considered one of
the world's wonders. There are forty-two of these
springs within the corporate limits of the city that
has grown up about them. They received no pub-
lic notice until 1879, when with a bound they
became advertised to the world. Their wonderful
cures, especially in cases of rheumatism, cancer,
dyspepsia and other, if not nearly all, chronic
diseases, have bordered on the marvelous, if not
the miraculous.
In White County are the noted White Sulphur
Springs, at Searcy, and the sulphur and chalyb
eate springs, known as the Armstrong and the
Grifiin Springs, and the medical springs — Blan-
chard Springs — in Union County; the Eavenden
Springs, in Randolph County, and the Sugar Loaf
14
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Springs, in Cleburne County; the very recently dis-
covered Lithia Springs, near Hope, in Hempstead
County, jjronounced by a leading medical journal,
in its January issue, 1889, to be the most remark-
able discovery of this class of medical waters of
this century. These are some of the leading springs
of the State which possess unusual medicinal
properties. By a glance at the map it will be seen
they are distributed nearly equally all over its ter-
ritory. Simply to catalogue them and give accom-
panying analyses of the waters would make a pon-
derous volume of itself. In the above list have j
been omitted mention of the fine Bethseda Springs
in Polk County, or the fine iron and chalybeate
springs near Magnolia; Bussey's Springs, near
Eldorado, Union County; Butler's Saline Chalyb-
eate Springs, in Columbia County; the double
mineral spring of J. I. Holdernist, in Calhoun
County; a large number of saline chalybeate
springs in Township 10 south. Range 23 west, in
Hempstead County, called Hubbard's Springs; or
Crawford's Sulphur Springs; or those others in
Section 16, Township 12 south, Range 10 west; or
Murphy's or Leag's Mineral Springs, all in Brad-
ley County; or Gen. Royston's noted chalybeate
springs in Pike County, and still many others that
are known to possess mineral qualities, though no
complete examination of them has yet been made.
Special mention should not be omitted of the
Mountain Valley Springs, twelve miles northwest
of Hot Springs. The fame of these springs has
demanded the shipment of water, lately, to distant
localities in vast and constantly increasing quan-
tities. The knowledge of them is but compara-
tively recent, and yet their wonderful healing
qualities are already widely known.
Innumerable, apparently, as are the health
springs of Arkansas, they are far surpassed by
the common springs found nearly all over the
State.
Mammoth Spring is in Fulton County, and is
unrivaled in the country. The water boils up
from an opening 120 feet in circumference, and
flows uninterruptedly at the rate of 9,000 barrels a
minute. From the comjjression of so large an
amount of carbonic acid held in solution, the whole
surface of this water basin is in a continual state of
efPervescence. Spring River, a bold stream, is
produced by this spring, and gives an unlimited
amount of water power.
The general division of the surface of the State
is uplands and lowlands. It is a timber State,
with a large number of small prairies. East and
near Little Rock is Lonoke Prairie, and other
small prairies are in the southwest part. In its
northeast portion are some large strips of prairie,
and there are many other small spots bare of tim-
ber growths, but these altogether compose only a
small portion of the State's surface.
The variety and excellence of soils are not sur-
passed by any State in the Union. The dark
alluvial prevails in nearly all the lowlands, while
on many sections of the uplands are the umber red
soils of the noted tobacco lands of Cuba. About
two-thirds of the State's surface shows yellow pine
growth, the great tall trees standing side by side
with the hardwoods, walnut, maple, grapevines,
sumac, etc. A careful analysis of the soils and
subsoils of every county in the State by the
eminent geologist, Prof. D. D. Owen, shows this
result: The best soils of Iowa, Wisconsin and
Minnesota are inferior to the best soils of Arkan-
sas in fertilizing properties. The following re-
ports of State geologists tell the story:
Ark.
Minn.
Iowa.
Wis.
Organic and Volatile Matter. .
1
14.150! 6.334
8,715 5,585
21.865 690
6,028
3,288
940
6,580
4,610
665
In fertilizing qualities the only comparative
results to the Arkansas soils are found in the blue
limestone districts of Central Kentucky.
Analysis of the soils shows the derivative geo-
logical formation of soils, and their agricultural
values; their losses by cultivation, and what soils
lying convenient will repair the waste. Arkansas
County, the mother of counties in the State, lying
in the southeast, shows the tertiary formations.
Benton County, at the opposite northwest corner,
has the subcarboniferous. The tertiary is found
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
15
in Newton County; Clark, Hempstead and Sevier
show the cretaceous; Conway, Crawford, Johnson,
Ouachita. Perry, Polk, Pope, Prairie, Pulaski,
Scott, Van Buren, White, Garland and Montgom-
ery, the novaculite, or whetstone grit; Greene,
Jackson, Poinsett and Union, the quaternary. In
addition to Benton, given above, are Independence,
Madison, Monroe, Searcy and Washington, subcar-
boniferous. The lower silurian is represented in
Fulton, Izard, Lawrence, Marion and Randolph.
These give the horizons of the rock formations of
the State. The State has 28,000,000 acres of
woodland — eighty-one and one-half per cent of her
soil. Of this twenty-eight per cent is in cleared
farms.
If there be drawn a line on the map, beginning
a few miles west of longitude 91°, in the direction
of Little Rock, thence to the north boundary line
of Clark County, just west of the Iron Mountain
Railroad, then nearly due west to the west line of
the State, the portion north of this line will be the
uplands, and south the lowlands. The uplands
correspond with the Paleozoic, and lowlands with
the Neozoic.
The granitic axis outbursts in Pulaski, Saline,
Hot Springs, Montgomery, Pike and Sevier Coun-
ties, and runs from the northeast to the southwest
through the State. In Northern Arkansas the dis-
turbance shows itself in small faults, gentle folds
and slightly indurated shales; but nearer the gran-
ite axis, greater faults, strata with high dip and
talcose slate, intersected with quartz and calcite
veins, become common. These disturbances are
intimately connected with, and determine to some
extent, the character of the mineral deposits of
the State. The veins along the granite axis were
filled probably with hot alkaline waters depositing
the metalliferoiTs compounds they contained.
Almost every variety of land known to the
agriculturist can be found, and, for fertility, the
soils of the State are justly celebrated. Composed
as they are of uplands and lowlands, and a variety
of climate, they give a wide range of products.
In the south and central portions are produced the
finest cotton in the markets, while the uplands
yield fruits in abundance and variety. No place
in the great valley excels it in variety of garden
vegetables, small and orchard fruits, grasses,
grains, and other field crops. Among agriculturists
in Arkansas, truly cotton has been king. It is
grown upon lands that would produce a hundred
bushels of corn to the acre. All over the State a
bale of cotton to the acre is the average — worth at
this time S50. Per acre it is about the same labor
to raise as corn. In the varied and deep rich
soils of the State are produced the vegetation —
fruits, vegetables and plants — of the semi-tropic re-
gions, and also the whole range of the staple prod-
ucts of the north. Cereals, fruits and cotton
grow as well here as anywhere. In the uplands
will some day be raised grapes and tobacco that
will be world famous.
That portion of the hilly lands in Clay, Greene,
Craighead, Poinsett, St. Francis, Lee and Phillips
Counties, known as Crowley's ridge, has a soil and
vegetable growth distinctive from any other por-
tion of the State. Its principal forest growth is
yellow poplar, which is found in immense size.
With this timber are the oak, gum, hickory, wal-
nut, sugar and maple. The soil is generally of a
light yellowish or gray color, often gravelly, very
friable and easily cultivated, producing abundant
crops of cotton, corn, oats, clover, timothy and reel
top, and is most excellent for fruits.
The prevailing soil is alluvial, with more or
less diluvial soils. The alluvial soils, especially
along the streams, are from three to thirty feet
deep, and these rich bottoms are often miles in
width. There are no stronger or more productive
lands than these anywhere, and centuries of cul-
tivation create no necessity for fertilizers.
The swamp) lands or slashes as a general thing
lie stretched along between the alluvial lands and
second bottoms. They are usually covered with
water during the winter and spring, and are too
wet for cultivation, though dry in the summer and
fall. They can be easily reclaimed by draining.
The second bottoms are principally on the east-
ern side of the State, extending from the slashes to
the hills. The soil is mostly gray color, sometimes
yellowish, resting upon a subsoil of yellowish or
mulatto clay. The rich, black lands prevail largely
16
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
in Hempstead, Little River, Sevier, Nevada, Clark,
Searcy, Stone, Izard and Independence Counties.
In the mountainous range of the Ozarks, in
Independence County, are remarkable cave forma-
tions. They are mostly nitre caves and from these
and others in the southeast and west of Batesville,
the Confederacy obtained much of this necessity.
Near Cushman, Independence County, are the won-
derful caves. The extent and marvelous beauty of
formations are in the great arched room, the
"King's Palace.'' This cave has been explored
for miles under the earth, and many wonders and
beauties are seen on every hand. On the side of
the mouth of one of the caves in this vicinity a
strong spring leaps from the mountain' s side and
into the cave, and the rumbling of the rushing
waters beneath the earth can be heard quite a dis-
tance. The notable saltpetre eaves are in Marion,
Newton, Carroll, Independence, Washington and
Benton Counties.
There are gold mines in Arkansas, yet no re-
markable tinds that is, no marvelous wonders have
as yet been uncovered. The universal diffusion
of milky quartz in veins, seams and beds, as well
as all the other geological tokens which lead on to
fortune, are recent discoveries, and the intelligent
gold hunters are here in abundance. Who can
tell what the future may have in store? But
should no rich paying gold fields ever be found,
still in the resources of the State are ores of silver,
antimony, zinc, iron, lead, copper, manganese,
marble, granite, whet and honestone, rock-crystal,
paints, nitre earths, kaolin, marls, freestone,
limestone, buhr and grindstone and slate, which
may well justify the bold assertion of that eminent
geologist, Prof. D. D. Owen, in 1860, after care-
fully looking over the State, ' ' that Arkansas is
destined to rank as one of the richest mineral
States in the Union." Its zinc ores compare
favorably with those of Silesia, and its argentif-
erous galena far exceeds in percentage of silver the
average of such ores of other countries. Its
novac.ulite (whetstone) rock can not be excelled in
fineness of texture, beauty of color, and sharpness
of grit. Its crystal mountains for extent, and
their products for beauty, brilliancy and transpar-
ency, have no rivals in the world. Its mineral
waters are in variety and values equalled only by
its mineral products.
Anticipating the natural questions as to why
the mines of Arkansas are not better developed, it
will be sufficient to condense to the utmost Prof.
Owen's words in reference to the Bellah mine in
Sevier County : " It is the same vein that is found
in Pulaski County, and runs northeast and south-
west nearly through the State. Some years ago
the Bellah mine was explored and six shafts were
sunk. Three of the principal shafts were about
thirty feet deep. The work was done under the
supervision of Richard W. Bellah, afterward of
Texas. There was a continuous vein, increasing
in thickness as far as he went. On the line other
shafts were sunk fi'om six to twelve feet deep, all
showing the ore to be continuous. About five tons
of ore were taken out. A portion of this was
sent to Liverpool, England, to be tested, and the
statement in return was ' seventy-three per cent
lead, and 148 ounces of silver to the ton.' " Mr.
Bellah wrote to Prof. Owen: "I am not willing
to lease the mines; but I will sell for a reasonable
price, provided my brother and sister will sell at
the same. I have put the price upon the mines,
and value it altogether [460 acres of land] at
$10,000." Such was the condition of affairs at
this mine when the war came. Substantially, this
is the ante-bellum history of the Arkansas mining
interests. Prof. Owen reports picking up from
the debris of these deserted shafts ore that anal-
yzed seventy-three per cent lead and fifty-two and
one-half ounces of silver to the ton of lead.
That these rich fields should lie fallow-ground
through the generations can now be accounted for
only from the blight of slavery upon the enter-
prise and industry of people, the evils of a great
civil war, and the natural adaptation of the soil and
slavery to the raising of cotton.
On the line of this vein, in Saline County,
fi'om very superficial explorations, were discovered
veins bearing argentiferous lead and copper.
Lead is found in about every county in North-
ern Arkansas. These are a continuation of the
Missouri lead ores. The richest argentiferous lead
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
17
ores reported are in Pulaski, Saline, Montgomery,
Polk, Pike, Ashley and Sevier Counties, being
found in the quartz and calcite gangues. It is as-
sociated in the north of the State with zinc, cop-
per, and with antimony in Sevier County.
One of the latest discoveries is the value of the
antimony mines of Polk and Sevier Counties. A
mine is being worked successfully for antimony,
and the increase of silver is improving as the
shaft goes down. At any hour in the progress of
the work, according to the ojsinions of the best
scientific mining experts, this shaft may reach one
of the noted silver deposits of the world. In the
Jeff Clark antimony mine, at a distance of 100
feet down, was found a rich pocket of silver. In
every particular, so far, this mine is a transcript of
that of the noted Comstock mine. The Comstock
mine showed silver on the surface; so did the Sev-
ier County mine; then it passed down 100 feet,
following a vein of antimony; so has the Sevier.
mine; then in each has silver been found.
There is an unchanging law which governs the
rock and mineral formations. Nature never lies,
and there is no doubt that the Arkansas mineral
belt, through Montgomery, Polk, Howard and Sev-
ier Counties, will prove to be one of the richest
mining districts of the world.
The antimony mine has been quite successfully
worked the j^ast two years. The Bob Wolf mine,
Antimony Bluff mine, and Stewart Lode are being
profitably worked. Capital and the facilities for
reducing ores by their absence are now the only
drawback to the mineral products of the State.
Iron is found native in the State only in meteor-
ites. The magnatite ore is found plentiful in Mag-
net Cove. Lodestones from this place are shipped
abroad, and have a high reputation. This is one
of the best iron ores, and the scarcity of fuel and
transportation in the vicinity are the causes of its
not being worked. The limonite iron ore is the
common ore of all Northern Arkansas; immense
deposits are found in Lawrence, where several
furnaces are operated. In the southern part of the
State is the bog iron ore. The brown hematite is
found in Lawrence, Randolph, Fulton and other
counties. Workable veins of manganese are found
in Independence County. This valuable ore is im-
ported now from Spain; it is used in making Spie-
gel iron.
Bituminous and semi -anthracite coal is found
in the true coal measures of the uplands of Ar-
kansas. That of the northwest is free from sul-
phur. The semi -anthracite is found in the valley
of the Arkansas River. These coal fields cover
10,000 acres. There are four defined coal hori-
zons — the subconglomerate, lower, middle and up-
per. The coal fields of this State belong to the
lowest — the subcarboniferous — in the shale or
millstone grit less than 100 feet above the Archi-
medes limestone. In the Arkansas Valley these
veins aggregate over six feet. The veins lie high
in the Boston Mountains, dipping south into the
Arkansas Valley. Shaft mining is done at Coal
Hill, Spadra and many other points. It is shipped
down the river in quantities to New Orleans.
Aluminum, corundum, sapphire, oriental ruby,
topaz and amethysts are found in Howard and
Sevier Counties. Strontianite is found in Mag-
net Cove — valuable in the purification of sugar.
In the synclinal folds of Upper Arkansas common
salt is easily obtained. Good salt springs are in
Sevier County, also in Dallas and Hot Springs
Counties. Chalcedony, of all colors, cornelian,
agates, novaculite. honestone, buhrstone, varieties
of granite, eight kinds of elegant marble, sand-
stones, white, gray, red, brown and yellow, are
common in the grit horizon; flagstones, roofing
and pencil slates, talc, kaolin, abound in Saline,
Washington, St. Francis and Greene Counties. The
potter's clay of Miller, Saline and Washington is
extensively worked. "Rock oil" has been dis-
covered in large pockets in Northwest Arkansas.
In the development of its mineral resources the
State is still in its infancy, so much so, indeed,
that what will prove yet to be the great sources of
wealth are not even now produced as a commer-
cial commodity. In some respects this is most re-
markable. For instance, Arkansas might supply
the world, if necessity required, with lime and
cement, can produce the best of each at the least
cost, and yet practically all these consumed are
imported here from other States. Years ago Prof.
18
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
D. D. Owen called attention to the valuable marls
in the sonthwest part of the State, but the great
beds lie untouched and cotton planters send off for
other fertilizers. So also of the great beds of
gypsum that lie uncovered and imtouched. The
outside world wants iinlimited supplies of kaolin,
fire-clays and such other clays as the State pos-
sesses in inestimable quantities, and yet the thrifty
people seem to be oblivious of the fact that here is
the way to easy sources of wealth.
People can live here too easily it seems. In
this way only can a reason be found for not strik-
ing boldly out in new fields of venture, with that
vigor of desperation which comes of stern and
hard necessity. Where nature is stubborn and un-
yielding, man puts forth his supremest efforts.
Magnet Cove probably furnishes more remark-
able formations than any other district in the world.
The "Sunk Lands" in the northeast part of the
State, the result of the disturbance of the New
Madrid earthquake 1811-12, present features of
interest to both lay and scientific investigators.
The curious spectacle of deep lakes, beneath which
can be seen standing in their natural position the
great forest trees, is presented ; and instead of the
land animals roving and feeding among them are
the inhabitants of the deep waters.
The natural abutments of novaculite rocks at
Rockport, on the Ouachita River, with the proper
outlying rocks on the opposite side of the river, are
a very interesting formation.
Cortes Mountain, Sebastian County, as seen
from Hodges Prairie presents a grand view. The
bare hard rock looks as though the waves in their
mighty swells had been congealed and fixed into
a mountain. It is 1, 500 feet high. Standing Rock,
Board Camp Creek, Polk County, is a conspicious
and interesting landmark. It rises from out the
crumbling shales, like an artificial piece of masonry,
to the height of ninety feet.
The Dardanello Rock as seen from the Arkan-
sas River, opposite Morristown, is composed of fer- '
ruginous substance, and the great column dips at
an angle of 40° toward the river. From one point
on the southeast is the wonderful Dardanelle Profile.
All the features of the face, with a deep- cut mouth
slightly open as if in the act of listening to what
one is going to say to it, and the outlines of the
head, neck and shoulders, are faithfully produced.
Its faithfulness of detail and heroic proportions
are its strong characteristics.
Sandstone Dam across Lee Creek, Crawford
County, is a curious instance of nature's perfect
engineering. The formation here possesses as
much interest to the scientist as the noted Natural
Bridge.
Investigations of the Mammoth Spring lead to
.the conclusion that it has underground connection
with Havell's Valley, Mo; that here the waters
from many springs, some rising to the surface and
others not rising, are as the head of a vast funnel,
which pour down the subterranean channel and,
finally meeting obstructions to further progress, are
forced up through the solid rock and form the
Mammoth Spring, a navigable subterranean river
in short, whose charts no bold seaman will ever
follow.
North of Big Rock are the traces of a burnt
out volcano, whose fires at one time would have
lighted up the streets of Little Rock even better
than the electric lights now gleaming fi'om their
high towers.
The track of the awful cataclysm, once here
in its grand forces, is all that is left; the energies
of nature's greatest display of forces lost in the
geological eons intervening.
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
19
Ifiil'EI II.
> > ♦ < *
Archaeology— Remains of Flint Arrow and Spear Heads and Stone and Other Ornaments-
Evidences OF Pre-historic People Along the Mississippi— Mounds, etc., in Other Portions
OF The State — Local Archaeologists and their Work— The Indian.s— Tribal
AND Race Characteristics— The Arkansas Tribes— The Cession Treaties
— The Removal of the Cherokees, Creeks and Choctaws— An
Indian Alarm — Assassination of the Leaders, etc., etc
Some lazy ages, lost ia sleep and ease,
No actions leave to busy chronicles;
Such whose superior felicity but makes
In story chasms, in epochas mistakes. — Dryden.
N the long gone
reaches of time perl
■^ only to be measured by
geological periods, races
of men have been here,
S@^' "' --K^^-H^^^^ grown, flourished, declined
■^^sJIfeVl*' and passed away, many not
even leaving a wrack behind; others
transmitting fossil traces, dim and
crumbling, and still later ones, the suc-
cessors of the earlier ones, who had no
traditions of their predecessors, have
left something of the measure of their
existence in the deftly cut flints, broken
pottery, adobe walls, or great earth-
works standing in the whilom silent
wilderness as mute and enduring mon-
uments to their existence; man, races, civilizations,
systems of religion passing on and on to that
eternal silence — stormfully from the inane to the
inane, the great world's epic that is being forever
written and that is never writ.
Arkansas is an inviting field for the investiga-
tion of the archaeologist, as well as the geologist.
Races of unknown men in an unknown time have
swarmed over the fair face of the State. Their
restless activities drove them to nature's natural
storehouses and the fairest climes on the continent.
Where life is easiest maintained in its best form
do men instinctively congregate, and thus commu-
nities and nations are formed. The conditions of
climate and soil, rainfall and minerals are the
controlling factors in the busy movements of men.
These conditions given, man follows the great
streams, on whose bosom the rudest savages float
their canoes and pirogues.
Along the eastern part of the State are the most
distinct traces of prehistoric peoples, whose hiero-
glyphics, in the form of earthworks, are the most
legible to the archteologist. Here, earthworks in
greatest extent and numbers are found, indicating
that this section once swarmed with these barbaric
races of men.
In Lonoke County, sixteen miles southeast of
Little Rock, and on the Little Rock & Altheimer
branch of the St. Louis, Arkansas & Texas Rail-
road, is a station called Toltec. It is located on
the farm of Mr. Gilbert Knapp, and is near
Mounds Lake. This lake is either the line of what
was a borse-shoe bend in Ai'kansas River long ago,
or is the trace of a dead river. The lake is in the
form of a horse-shoe, and covers a space of about
20
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS
three miles. The horse- shoe points east of north,
and the heels to the southwest. Here is a great
field of large and interesting mounds and earth-
works. A little east of the north bend of the lake
are two great mounds — one square and the other
cone shaped. The cone shaped is the larger and
taller, and is supposed to have been 100 feet high,
while the other was about seventy-five feet in ele-
vation. About them to the north and east are
many small mounds, with no apparent fixed method
in their location. These have all been denuded of
their timber and are in cultivation, except the larger
one above mentioned. Upon this is a growth of
heavy timber, elms, hickory, and oaks with as high
as 500 rings, and standing on an alluvial soil from
eight to fifteen feet deep. These large mounds
are enclosed with an earth wall starting out from
the bank of the lake, and circling at a considerable
distance and returning to the lake, and keeping
nearly an equal distance from the larger mound.
The sloping base of each mound reaches the base
and overlaps or mingles with the base of its neigh-
bor. Around this big wall was once an outside
ditch. The humus on the smaller mounds shows,
in cultivation, a stronger and deeper alluvial soil
than the surrounding land.
There are evidences in these mounds that while
they were built by one nation, for objects now
problematical, they have been used by other suc-
ceeding peoples for other and different purposes,
much after the manner that are now found farm-
ers with well-kept gardens on the tops of the
mounds, or stately residences, or on others grow-
ing cotton and corn. In them human and ani-
mal bones are seen, and there are indications that,
while they were built for purposes of worship or
war, when the builders passed away more than
one race of their successors to the country used
them as convenient burial grounds. They were
skillful stone workers and potters, and their mason' s
tools are frequently met with. Nearly every im-
plement of the stone age is found in and about
the mounds.
Mt. Knapp, who has given the subject consid-
erable intelligent study, is so convinced that these
works were made by the Toltec race that he has
named the new station in honor of that people.
On the line of this earth-wall mentioned are two
deep pools that never are known to become dry.
East of Toltec thirty or more miles, in Lonoke
Prairie, are mounds that apparently belong to
the chain or system which runs parallel with the
river, through the State. The small mounds or
barrows, as Jefferson termed the modern Indian
burial places, are numerous, and distributed all
over Arkansas.
What is pronounced a fortified town is found
in well marked remains on St. Francis River. It
was discovered by Mr. Savage, of Louisville. He
reports "parts of walls, built of adobe brick and
cemented." On these remains he detected trees
growing numbering 300 rings. He reports the
brick made of clay and chopped or twisted straw,
and with regular figures. A piece of first-class
engineering is said to be traced here in a sap-
mine, which had passed under the walls of the
fortification.
The Ijones and pottery and tools and arms of
the prehistoric peoples of Arkansas are much more
abundant than are found in any other spot in the
United States.
Mi's. Hobbs, living four miles southeast of
Little Rock, has a very complete collection of the
antiquities of the State. It is pronounced by
antiquarians as one of the most valuable in the
country. The Smithsonian Institute has offered
her every inducement to part with her collection,
but she has refused. It is hoped the State will
some day possess this treasure, and suitably and
permanently provide for its preservation.
When the white man discovered and took pos-
session of North America, he found the red man
and his many tribes here, and under a total mis-
apprehension of having found a new continent, he
named this strange people Indians. The new world
might have been called Columbia, and the people
Columbians. Again, instead of being sparse tribes
of individuals fringing the shores of the Atlantic
Ocean there were 478 tribes, occupying nearlj' the
whole of the north half of this western hemis-
j)here; some in powerful tribes, like the Iroquois;
some were rude agricultural and commercial peoples,
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
21
some living in houses of logs or stone, permanent
residents of their localities; others warriors and
hunters only, and still others migratory in their
nature, pirates and parasites. One characteristic
strongly marked them all — a love of liberty and
absolute freedom far stronger than the instinct
of life itself. The Indian would not be a slave.
Proud and free, he regarded with contempt the
refinements of civilization. He breathed the same
free air as did the eagle of the crags, and would
starve before he would do manual work, or, as he
believed, degrade himself in doing aught but paint
himself, sing his war songs and go forth to battle,
or pursue the wild game or meet the savage wild
beasts in their paths and slay them in regular com-
bat. To hunt, fish and fight was the high mission
of great and good men to his untutored mind,
while the drudgery of life was rejegated to the
squaws and squaw-men. His entire economic
philosophy was simply the attainment of his de-
sires with the least exertion. In a short time he
will have filled his earthly mission, and passed
from the stage of action, leaving nothing but a
dim memory. From their many generations of
untold numbers has come no thought, no inven-
tion, no action that deserves to survive them a
day or an hour. The Indians of to day, the few
that are pure blood, are but the remnants, the use-
less refuse of a once numerous people, who were the
undisputed possessors of a continent, but are now
miserable, ragged and starving beggars at the
back doors of their despoilers, stoically awaiting
the last final scene in the race tragedy. And, like
the cheerful sermon on the tombstone, who shall
say that white civilization, numbers and power, will
not in the course of time, and that not far distant,
be the successors of the residue of wretches now
representing the red race ? "I was once as you
are, you will soon be as I am." A grim philos-
ophy truly, but it is the truth of the past, and the
great world wheels about much now as it has for-
ever.
What is now Arkansas has been the possession
of the following Indian tribes; no one tribe, it seems,
occupied or owned the territory in its entirety,
but their possessions extended into the lines, cov-
ering a portion of the lands only, and then reach-
ing many degrees, sometimes to the north, south
and west: The Osagea, a once numerous tribe,
were said to own the country south of the Mis-
souri River to Red River, including a large por-
tion of Arkansas. The Quapaws, also a powerful
nation, were the chief possessors, and occupied
nearly the whole of the State, "time out of mind;"
the Cherokees were forced out of Georgia and
South Carolina, and removed west of the Missis-
sippi River in 1836; the Hitchittees were removed
from the Chattahouchee River to Arkansas. They
speak the Maskogee dialect — were 600 strong when
removed; the Choctaws were removed to the west,
after the Cherokee.s. In 1812 they were 15,000
strong.
The Quapaws, of all the tribes connected with
Arkansas, may be regarded as the oldest settlers,
having possessed more of its territory in well de-
fined limits than any of the others. In the early
part of the eighteenth century they constituted a
powerful tribe. In the year 1720 they were deci-
mated by smallpox; reduced by this and other
calamities, in 1820, one hundred years after, they
were found scattered along the south side of the
Arkansas River, numbering only 700 souls. They
never regained their former numerical strength or
warlike importance, but remained but a band of
wretched, ragged beggars, about whose hunting
grounds the white man was ever lessening and
tightening the lines.
January 5, 1819, Gov. Clark and Pierre Chou-
teau made a treaty with the tribe by which was
ceded to the United States the most of their terri-
tory. The descriptive part of the treaty is in the
following words: "Beginning at the mouth of the
Arkansas River; thence extending up the Arkansas
to the Canadian Fork, and up the Canadian Fork
to its source; thence south to the big Red River,
and down the middle of that river to the Big
Raft; thence in a direct line so as to strike the
Mississippi River, thirty leagues in a straight
line, below the mouth of the Arkansas, together
with all their claims to lands east of the Mississippi
River and north of the Arkansas River. With the
exception and reservation following, that is to say,
HISTOEY OF ARKANSAS.
that tract of country bounded as follows: Begin-
ning at a point on the Arkansas River opposite the
present Post of Arkansas, and running thence a
due southwest course to the ^Vashita River; thence
up that river to the Saline Fork, to a point from
whence a due north course would strike the Arkan-
sas River at the Little Rock, and thence down the
right bank of the Arkansas to the place of begin-
ning. " In addition to this a tract was reserved
north of the Arkansas River, which the treaty says
is indicated by "marks on the accompanying
map." This west line of the Quapaw reservation
struck the river about where is now Rock Street.
In November, 1824, Robert Crittenden, the first
TeiTitorial secretary, effected a treaty with the
Quapaws, at Harrington's, Ark., which ceded the
above reservation and forever extinguished all title
of that tribe to any portion of Arkansas. The
tribe was then removed to what is now the Indian
Territory.
The other original occupants or claimants to the
Arkansas Territory were the Osages. Of these
there were many tribes, and in 1830 numbered
4,000 strong, but mostly along the Osage River.
Their claim lapped over, it seems, all that portion
of the Quapaw lands lying north of the Arkansas
River.
The title of the Osages was extinguished to
what is now Arkansas by a treaty of November 10,
1808, made at Fort Clark, on the Missouri River.
By this treaty they ceded all the country east of a
line running due south from Fort Clark to the Ar-
kansas River, and down said river to its confluence
with the Mississippi River. These Indians occu-
pied only the cotmtry along the Missouri and
Osage Rivers, and if they were ever on what they
claimed as their southern boundary, the Arkansas
River, it was merely on expeditions.
About 1818, Georgia and South Carolina com-
menced agitating the subject of getting rid of the
Indians, and removing them west. They wanted
their lands and did not want their presence. At
first they tised persuasion and strategy, and finally
force. They were artful in representing to the In-
dians the glories of the Arkansas country, both for
game and rich lands. During the twenty years of
agitating the subject Indians of the tribes of those
States came singly and in small bands to Arkansas,
and were encouraged to settle anywhere they might
desire north of the Arkansas River, on the Osage
ceded lands. The final act of removal of the In-
dians was consummated in 1839, when the last of
the Cherokees were brought west. Simultaneous
with the arrival of this last delegation of Indians
an alarm passed around among the settlers that the
Indians were preparing to make a foray on the
white settlements and murder them all. Many
people were greatly alarmed, and in some settle-
ments there were hasty preparations made to flee
to places of safety. In the meantime the poor,
distressed Cherokees and Choctaws were innocent
of the stories in circulation about them, and were
trying to adjust themselves to their new homes
and to repair their ruined fortunes. The Chero-
kees were the most highly civilized of all the tribes,
as they were the most intelligent, and had mingled
and intermarried with the whites until there were
few of pure blood left among them. They had
men of force and character, good schools and
printing presses, and published and edited papers,
as well as their own school books. These condi-
tions were largely true, also, of the Chickasaws.
The Cherokees and Chickasaws were removed west
under President Jackson's administration. The
Cherokees were brought by water to Little Rock,
and a straight road was cut out from Little Rock
to the corner of their reservation, fifteen miles
above Batesville, in Independence County, over
which they were taken. Their southeast boundary
line was a straight line, at the point designated
above Batesville, to the mouth of Point Remove
Creek.
The nistory of the removal of the Cherokee
Indians (and much of the same is true of the re-
moval of the Chickasaws and Creeks), is not a pleas-
ant chapter in American history. The Creeks of
Florida had waged war, and when conquered Gen.
Scott removed them beyond the Mississippi River.
When the final consummation of the removal of the
Cherokees was effected, it was done by virtue of a
treaty, said to have been the work of traitors, and
unauthorized by the projjer Indian authorities. At
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
23
all events the artful whites had divided the head-
men of the tribe, and procured their signatures to
a treaty which di'ove the last of the nation beyond
the Mississippi. The chief men in making this
treaty were the Ridges, Boudinot, Bell and Rogers.
This was the treaty of 1835. In June, 1839, the
Ridges, Boudinot and Bell were assassinated.
About forty Indians went to Ridge's house, Inde-
pendence County, and cruelly murdered young
Ridge; they then pursued the elder Ridge and, over-
taking him at the foot of Boston Mountains, as he
was on his way to visit friends in Van Bui'en, Ark. ,
shot him to death. It seems there was an old law
of the nation back in Georgia, by which any one
forfeited his life who bartered any part of their
lands.
The Choctaw s by treaty ceded to the United
States all their claim to lands lying within the
limits of Ai'kansas, October 20, 1820.
On the 6th of May, 1828, the Cherokees ceded
all claim to their lands that lay within the Territo-
rial limit of Arkansas.
This was about the end of Indian occupation
or claims within the State of Arkansas, but not
the end of important communication, and acts of
neighborly friendship, between the whites and the
Cherokees especially. A considerable number of
Indians, most of them having only a slight mix-
ture of Indian blood, remained in the State and be-
came useful and in some instances highly influ-
ential citizens. Among them were prominent farm-
ers, merchants and professional men. And very
often now may be met some prominent citizen,
who, after even an extended acqiiaintance, is found
to be an Indian. Among that race of people
they recognize as full members of the tribe all
who have any trace of their blood in their veins,
whether it shows or not. In this respect it seems
that nearly all races differ from the white man.
With the latter the least mixture of blood of any
other color pronounces them at once to be not white.
The Cherokee Indians, especially, have always
held kindly intercourse with the people of Arkan-
sas. In the late Civil War they went with the
State in the secession movement without hesitation.
A brigade of Cherokees was raised and Gen. Albert
Pike was elected to the command. The eminent
Indians in the command were Gen. Stand Waitie
and Col. E. C. Boudinot. Until 1863 the Indians
were unanimous in behalf of the Southern cause,
but in that year Chief Ross went over to the Fed-
eral side, and thus the old time divisions in the In-
dian councils were revived.
Col. Elias C. Boudinot was born in Georgia, in
August, 1835, the same year of the treaty remov-
ing the Indians from that State. Practically,
therefore, he is an Arkansan. He shows a strong
trace of Indian blood, though the features of the
white race predominate. He is a man of educa-
tion and careful culture, and when admitted to the
bar he soon won a place in the splendid array of
talent then so greatly distinguishing Arkansas. A
born orator, strong enough in intellect to think
without emotion, morally and physically a hero, he
has spent much of his life pleading for his people
to be made citizens — the owners of their individ-
ual homes, as the only hope to stay that swift de-
cay that is upon them, but the ignorance of his
tribe and the scheming of demagogues and selfish
' ' agents, ' ' have thwarted his efforts and practically
exiled him fi'om his race.
A few years ago Col. Boudinot was invited to
address Congress and the people of Washington
on the subject of the Indian races. The masterly
address by this man, one of the greatest of all the
representatives of American Indians, will be fixed
in history as the most pathetic epilogue of the
greatest of dramas, the curtain of which was raised
in 1492. Who will ever read and fully understand
his emotions when he repeated the lines:
Their light canoes have vanished
From off the crested waves —
Amid the forests where they roamed
There rings no hunter's shout.
And all their cone-like cabins
That clustered o'er the vale,
Have disappeaied as withered leaves,
Before the autumn gale.
24
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Discovery and Settlement— De Soto in Arkansas— Marquette and Joliet— La Salle, Hennepin
AND Tonti— French and English Schemes of Conquest and Dreams of Power— Louisiana
—The " Bubble" of John Law— The Early Viceroys and Governors— Proprie-
tary Change of Louisiana — French and Spanish Settlers in Ark-
ansas—English Settlers— A Few First Settlers in the
Counties— The New Madrid Earthquake-
Other Items of Interest.
Hail, memory, hail! In thy exhaustless mine
From age to age unnumbered treasures shine!
Thought and her shadowy brood thy call obey,
And place and time are subject to thy sway. — Rogers.
ERDINAND DE SOTO, the
discoverer of the Missis-
3 sippi, was the first civilized
white man to put foot upon
tany part of what is now the
■^ State of Arkansas. He and
•3Bhis band of adventurous
followers had forged their
way over immense obstacles, through
the trackless wastes, and in the pleas-
ant month of June, 1541, reached the
S^ Mississippi River at, as is supposed,
Chickasaw Bluffs, a short distance be-
low Memphis. He had sailed from
San Lucan in April, 1538, with 600
men, twenty officers and twenty-four priests. He
represented his king and church, and came to
make discoveries for his master in Florida, a coun-
try undefined in extent, and believed to be the
richest in the world.
His expedition was a daring and dangerous
one, and there were but few men in the tide of
time who could have carried it on to the extent
that did this bold Spaniard. The worn and deci-
mated band remained at the Chickasaw BlufPs to
rest and recuperate until June 29, then crossing
the river into Arkansas, and pushing on up the
Mississippi River, through brakes and swamjjs and
slashes, until they reached the higher prairie lands
that lead toward New Madrid; stopping in their
north course at an Indian village, Pacaha, whose
location is not known. De Soto sent an expedition
toward the Osage River, but it soon returned and
reported the country worthless. * He then turned
west and proceeded to the Boston Mountains, at
the head-waters of White River; then bending
south, and passing Hot Springs, he went into camp
for the winter on the Ouachita River, at Autamqua
Village, in Garland County. In the spring he
*It is proper to here state the fact that some local in-
vestigators, and others who have studied the history of
De Soto's voyaging through Arkansas, do not believe that
he reached and discovered the river as high up as Mem-
phis. They think he approached it a short distance above
the moutli of Red River, and from that point made his
detour around to Red River. Others in the State, who
have also studied the subject thoroughly, find excellent
evidence of hispresencein Arkansas along the Mississippi,
particularly in Mississippi County. See "History of
Mississippi County, Ark." After examining the testi-
mony carefully I incline to the account as given in the
contest as being the most probable. — Ed.
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
25
floated down the river, often lost in the bayous
and overflows of Red River, and finally reached i
again the Mississippi. Halting here he made dil-
igent inquiries of the Indians as to the mouth of
the great stream, but they could give him no infor-
mation. In June, one year from the date of his
discovery, after a sickness of some weeks, he died.
As an evidence of his importance to the expedition
his death was kept a secret, and he was buried at
night, most appropriately, in the waves of the
great river that gave his name immortality. But
the secrecy of his death was of no avail, for there
was no one who could supjily his place, and with
his life closed the existence, for all practical pur-
poses, of the expedition. Here the interest of the
historian in De Soto and his companions ceases.
He came not to possess the beautiful country, or
plant colonies, or even extend the dominions of
civilization, but simply to find the fabled wealth
in minerals and precious stones, and gather them
and carry them away. Spain already possessed
Florida, and it was all Florida then, from the At-
lantic to the boundless and unknown west.
The three great nations of the old world had
conquered and possessed — the Spaniards Florida,
the English Virginia and New England, and the
French the St. Lawrence. The feeblest of all
these colonizers or conquerors were the English,
and they retained their narrow foothold on the
new continent with so little vigor that for more
than a century and a half they knew nothing of
the country west of them save the idle dreams and
fictions of the suiTounding savages. The general
world had learned little of De Soto' s great western
discoveries, and when he was buried in the Missis-
sippi all remained undisturbed from the presence
or knowledge of civilized men for the period of
132 years.
Jacques Marquette, a French Jesuit priest, had
made expeditions along the Northern lakes, pros-
elyting among the Indian tribes. He had con-
ceived the idea that there was a great western
river leading to China and Japan. He was joined
in his ambition to find this route, and the tribes
along it, by Joliet, a man fired with the ambition
and daring of the bold explorer. These two men.
with five employes, started on their great adven-
ture May 17, 1673. They found the Upper Mis-
sissipjii River and came down that to the mouth
of the Arkansas River, thence proceeding up some
distance, it is supposed to near where is Arkansas
Post. Thus the feet of the white man pressed
once mor^ the soil of this State, but it was after
the lapse of many years from the time of De Soto' s
visit. Marquette carried into the newly discovered
country the cross of Christ, while Joliet planted
in the wilderness the tri-colors of France. France
and Christianity stood together in the heart of the
great Mississippi Valley; the discoverers, founders
and possessors of the greatest spiritual and tem-
poral empire on earth. From here the voyagers
retraced their course to the Northern lakes and
the St. Lawrence, and published a report of their
discoveries.
Nine years after Marquette and Joliet" s expe-
dition, Chevalier de La Salle came from France,
accompanied by Henry de Tonti, an Italian, filled
with great schemes of empire in the new western
world; it is charged, by some historians of that
day, with no less ambition than securing the whole
western portion of the continent and wresting
Mexico from the Spaniards. When Canada was
reached, La Salle was joined by Louis Hennepin,
an ambitious, unscrupulous and daring Franciscan
monk. It was evidently La Salle's idea to found
a military government in the new world, reaching
with a line of forts and military jjossession from
Quebec, Canada, to at least the Gulf, if not, as
some have supposed, extending through Mexico.
He explored the country lying between the North-
ern lakes and the Ohio River. He raised a force
in Canada and sailed through Green Bay, and,
sending back his boat laden with furs, proceeded
with his party to the head waters of the Illinois
River and built Fort Creve CcBur. He detached
Hennepin with one companion and sent him to hunt
the source of the Mississippi. He placed Tonti in
command of Creve Cceiu', with five men, and him-
self returned to Canada in the latter j)art of 1681,
where he organized a new jaarty with canoes,
and went to Chicago; crossing the long portage
from there to the Illinois River, he floated down
26
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
that stream to the Mississippi and on to the Gulf
of Mexico, discovering the mouth of tlie Mississippi
River April 5, 1682, and three days after, with
becoming pomp and ceremony, took possession, in
the name of France, of the territory, and named it
Louisiana, in honor of his king, Louis XIV. The
vast region thus acquired by France was not, as it
could not be, well defined, but it was intended
to embrace, in addition to much east of the
Mississippi River, all the continent west of that
current.
After this expedition La Salle returned to
France, fitted out another expedition and set sail,
ostensibly to reach the mouth of the Mississippi
River and pass up. that stream. He failed to find
the river, and landed his fleet at Metagordo Bay,
Texas, where he remained two years, when with a
part of his force he started to reach Canada via
Fort St. Louis, but was assassinated by one of his
men near the Trinity River, Texas, Mai-ch 19,
1687, and his body, together with that of his
nephew, was left on the Texas prairie to the beasts
and buzzards. La Salle was a born commander
of men, a great explorer, with vast projects of
empire far beyond the comprehension of his
wi'etched king, or the appreciation of his country-
men. Had he been supported by a wise and strong
government, France would never, perhaps, have
been dispossessed of the greatest inter- continental
colonial empire on earth — from the Alleghanies to
the Rocky Mountains. This was, in fact, the
measure of the territory that La Salle' s expedition
and military possession gave to France. The two
great ranges of mountains, the north pole and
South America, were really the boundary lines of
Louisiana, of which permanent ownership belonged
forever to France, save for the weakness and inef-
ficiency of that bete noire of poor, beautiful, sunny
France — Louis XIV. In the irony of fate the his-
torian of to-day may well write down the appella-
tion of his toadies and parasites, as the grand
monarque. La Salle may justly be reckoned one
of the greatest founders of empire in the world, and
had poor France had a real king instead of this
weak and pompous imbecile, her tricolors would
have floated upon every breeze from the Allegha-
nies to the Pacific Ocean, and over the islands of
more than half of the waters of the globe.
The immensity of the Louisiana Territory has
been but little understood by historians. It was ■
the largest and richest province ever acquired, and
the world's history since its establishment has
been intimately connected with and shaped by its
influence. Thus the account of the Territory of
Louisiana is one of the most interesting chapters
in American history.
Thirteen years after the death of La Salle,
1700, his trusty lieutenant, Tonti, descended the
Mississippi River from the Illinois, with a band of
twenty French Illinois people, and upon reaching
Arkansas Post, established a station. This was
but carrying out La Salle' s idea of a military pos-
session by a line of forts from Canada to the Gulf.
It may be called the first actual and intended per-
manent possession of Arkansas. In the meantime,
Natchez had become the oldest settled point in
the Territory, south of Illinois, and the conduct of
the commandant of the canton, Chopart, was laying
the foundations for the ultimate bloody massacre
of that place, in November, 1729. The Jesuit, Du
Poisson, was the missionary among the Arkansans.
He had made his way up) the Mississijjpi and
passed along the Arkansas River till he reached
the prairies of the Dakotahs.
The Chickasaws were the dreaded enemy of
France; it was they who hurried the Natchez to
that awful massacre; it was they whose cedar bark
canoes, shooting boldly into the Mississippi, inter-
rupted the connections between Kaskaskia and
New Orleans, and delayed successful permanent
settlements in the Arkansas. It was they who
weakened the French empire in Louisiana. They
coUeagued with the English, and attempted to
extirpate the French dominion in the valley.
Such was Louisiana more than half a century
after the first attempt at colonization by La Salle.
Its population may have been 5,000 whites and
half that number of blacks. Louis XIV had
fostered it by giving it over to the control of Law
and his company of the Mississippi, aided by
boundless but transient credit. Priests and friars
dispersed through tribes from Biloxi to the Da-
- — ^ \^
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
kotahs, and propitiated the favor of the savages.
But still the valley of the Mississippi remained a
wilderness. All its patrons — though among them
it counted kings and high ministers of state — had
not accomplished for it in half a century a tithe
of that prosperity which, within the same period,
sprung naturally from the benevolence of William
Penn to the peaceful settlers on the Delaware.
It required the feebleness of the grand mon-
arque to discover John Law, the father of in-
flated cheap money and national financial ruin.
In September, 1717, John Law's Company of the
West was granted the commerce and control of
Louisiana. He arrived at New Orleans with 800
immigrants in August of that year. Instead of
coming up the Mississippi, they landed at Dau-
phine Island to make their way across by land.
The reign of John Law's company over Louisiana
was a romance or a riot of folly and extravagance.
He was to people and create a great empire on
cheap money and a monopoly of the slave trade.
For fourteen years the Company of the West con-
trolled Louisiana. The bubble burst, the dreams
and illusions of ease and wealth passed away, and
but wretched remnants of colonies existed, in the
extremes of want and suffering. But, after all, a
permanent settlement of the great valley had been
made. A small portion of these were located at
Arkansas Post, up the Arkansas River and on Red
River, and like the most of the others of Law's
followers, they made a virtue of necessity and re-
mained because they could not get away.
John Law was an Englishman, a humbug, but
a magnificent one, so marked and conspicuous in
the world's history that his career should have
taught the statesmen of all nations the simple
lesson that debt is not wealth, and that every at-
tempt to create wealth wholly by legislation is sure
to be followed by general bankruptcy and ruin.
The Jesuits and fur-traders were the founders
of Illinois; Louis XIV and privileged companies
were the patrons of Southern Louisiana, while
the honor of beginning the work of colonizing the
southwest of our republic belongs to the illustri-
ous Canadian, Lemoine D' Iberville. He was a wor-
thy successor of La Salle. H6 also sought to find
the mouth of the Mississippi, and guided by floating
trees and turbid waters, he reached it on March
2, 1699. He perfected the line of communication
between Quebec and the Gulf; extended east and
west the already boundless possessions of France;
erected forts and carved the lilies on the trees of
the forests; and fixed the seat of government of
Louisiana at Biloxi, and appointed his brother to
command the province. Under D' Iberville, the
French line was extended east to Pascagoula
River; Beinville, La Sueur, and St. Denys had
explored the west to New Mexico, and had gone
in the northwest beyond the Wisconsin and the
St. Croix, and reached the mouth of and followed
this stream to the confluence of the Blue Earth.
D' Iberville died of yellow fever at Havana, July
9, 1706, and in his death the Louisiana colony
lost one of its most able and daring leaders, i- But
Louisiana, at that time, possessed less than thirty
families of whites, and these were scattered on
voyages of discovery, and in quest of gold and
France perfected her civil government over
Louisiana in 1689, and appointed Marquis de San-
ville, royal viceroy. This viceroy's empire was as
vast in territory as it was insignificant in popula-
tion — less than 300 souls. * By regular appoint-
ments of viceroys the successions were maintained
(including the fourteen years of Law's supremacy)
until by the treaty of Fontainbleau, November 3,
1762, France was stripped of her American pos-
sessions, and Canada and the Spanish Florida;
everything east of the Mississippi except the
island of New Orleans was given to England,
and all Louisiana, including New Orleans west of
the Mississippi River and south of the new southern
boundary line of Canada, was given to Spain, in
lieu of her Florida possessions. Hence, it was No-
vember 3, 1762, that what is now Arkansas passed
from the dominion of France to that of Spain.
The signing of this treaty made that day the
most eventful one in the busy movements of the
*The title of France to the boundless confines of
Louisiana were confirmed by the treaty of Utrecht. The
contentions between England and France over the Ohio
countrv, afterward, are a part of the aunals of the gen-
eral history of the country.
28
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
human race. It remapped the world, gave the
English language to the American continent, and
spread it more widely over the globe than any that
had before given expression to human thought,
the language that is the alma mater of civil liberty
and religious independence. Had France perma-
nently dominated America, civil liberty and repre-
sentative government would have been yet unborn.
The dogmatic tyranny of the middle ages, with all
its intolerance and war, would have been the herit-
age of North America.
Thus re-adjusted in her domain, Louisiana re-
mained a province of Spain until October 1, 1800,
when the Little Corporal over-ran Spain with his
victorious legions, and looted his Catholic majesty's
domains. Napoleon allowed his military ambition
to dwarf his genius, and except for this curious
fact,j.he was the man who would have saved and
disenthralled the French mind, and have placed
the Gaul, with all his volcanic forces, in an even
start in the race of civilization with the invincible
and cruel Anglo-Saxon. He' was the only man of
progressive genius that has ever ruled poor, un-
fortunate France. The treaty of St. Ildefonso,
secretly transferring Louisiana from Sf>ain again
into the possession of France, was ratified March 24,
1801. Its conditions provided that it was to re-
main a secret, and the Spanish viceroy, who was
governor of Louisiana, knew nothing of the trans-
fer, and continued in the discharge of his duties,
granting rights, creating privileges and deeding
lands and other things that were inevitable in
breeding confusions, and cloudy land titles, such as
would busy the courts for a hundred years, inflict-
ing injustice and heavy burdens upon many inno-
cent people.
In 1802 President Jefl'erson became possessed
of the secret that France owned Louisiana. He
at once sent James Monroe to Paris, who, with the
resident minister, Mr. Livingston, opened negotia-
tions with Napoleon, at first only trying to secure
the free navigation of the Mississippi River, but to
their great surprise the Emperor more than met
them half way, with a proposal to sell Louisiana to
the United States. The bargain was closed, the
consideration being the paltry sum of $15,000,000.
This important move on the great chess-board of
nations occurred April 30, 1803. The perfunc-
tory act of lowering the Spanish ensign and hoist-
ing the flag of France; then lowering immediately
the tricolors and unfurling the stars and stripes,
it is hoped never to be furled, was performed at
St. Louis March 9, 1804. Bless those dear old,
nation-building pioneers! These were heavy drafts
upon their patriotic allegiance, but they were equal
to the occasion, and ate their breakfasts as Span-
iards, their dinners as Frenchmen, and suppers as
true Americans.
The successful class of immigrants to the west
of the Mississippi were the French Canadians, who
had brought little or nothing with them save the
clothes on their backs, and an old flintlock gun
with which to secure game. They colonized after
the French mode of villages and long strips of
farms, and a public commons. They propitiated
the best they could the neighboring Indian tribes,
erected their altars, hunted, and frolicked, and
were an honest, simple-minded and just people,
but little vexed with ambitious pride or grasping
avarice. The mouth of the Arkansas River was
the attractive point for immigrants on their way to
the Arkansas Territory, and they would ascend that
stream to Arkansas Post. There were not 500
white people in the Territory of (now) Arkansas in
1803, when it became a part of the United States.
In 1810 the total population was 1,062. So soon
as Louisiana became a part of the United States,
a small but never ceasing stream of English speak-
ing people turned their faces to the west and
crossed the ' ' Father of "Waters. ' ' Those for Ar-
kansas established Montgomery Point, at the mouth
of White River, making that the transfer place for
all shipments inland. This remained as the main
shipping and commercial point for many years.
By this route were transferred the freights for
Arkansas Post. The highway fi-om Montgomery
Point to the Post was a slim and indistinct bridle
path. The immigrants came down the Cumber-
laud and Tennessee Rivers to the Ohio in keel-
boats and canoes, and were mostly from Tennes-
see; beckoned to this fair and rich kingdom by its
sunny clime, its mountains and rivers, and its pro-
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
29
ductive valleys, all enriched with a flora and fauna
surpassing the dream of a pastoral poem.
The French were the first permanent settlers
of Arkansas, and descendants of these people are
still here. Many bearing the oldest French names
have attained to a position among the most emi-
nent of the great men of the trans -Mississippi.
Sometimes the names have become so corrupted as
to be unrecognizable as belonging to the early illus-
trious stock. The English-speaking people speak-
ing French names phonetically would soon change
them completely, The Bogys and Lefevres, for
instance, are names that go back to the very first
settlements in Arkansas. "Lefevre" on the maps
is often spelled phonetically thus : ' ' Lafaver. ' '
Representatives of the Lefevre family are yet
numerous in and about Little Rock, and in other
portions of the State.
Peter L. Lefevre and family were among the
very first French settlers, locating in the fall of
1818 on the north side of the river on Spanish
Grant No. 497, abou-t six miles below Little Rock.
His sons were Peter, Enos, Francis G. , Ambrose,
Akin, Leon and John B. , his daughter being Mary
Louise. All of these have passed away except
the now venerable Leon Lefevre, who resides on
the old plantation where he was born in the year
1808. For eighty one years the panorama of the
birth, growth and the vicissitudes of Arkansas
have passed before his eyes. It is supposed of all
living men he is the oldest representative surviving
of the earliest settlers; however, a negro, still a
resident of Little Rock, also came in 1818.
The first English speaking settlers were Ten-
nesseeans, Kentuckians and Alabamians. The ear-
liest came down the Mississippi River, and then
penetrating Arkansas at the mouths of the streams
from the west, ascended these in the search for
future homes. The date of the first coming of
English speaking colonists may be given as 1807,
those prior to that time being only trappers,
hunters and voyagers on expeditions of discovery,
or those whose names can not now be ascertained.
South Carolina and Georgia also gave their
small quotas to the first pioneers of Arkansas.
From the States south of Tennessee the route was
overland to the Mississippi River, or to some of its
bayous, and then by water. A few of these from
the Southern States brought considerable property,
and some of them negro slaves, but not many
were able to do this. The general rule was to
reach the Territory alone and clear a small piece
of ground, and as soon as possible to biiy slaves and
set them at work in the cotton fields.
In 1814 a colony of emigrants, consisting of
four families, settled at Batesville, then the Lower
Missouri Territory, now the county seat of Inde-
pendence County. There was an addition of fif-
teen families to this colony the next year. Of the
first was the family of Samuel Miller, father of
(afterward) Gov. William R. Miller; there were also
John Moore, the Magnesses and Beans. All these
families left names permanently connected with
the history of Arkansas. In the colony of 1815
(all from Kentucky) were the brothers, Richard,
John, Thomas and James Peel, sons of Thomas
Peel, a Virginian, and Kentucky companion of
Daniel Boone. Thomas Curran was also one of
the later colonists from Kentucky, a relative of the
great Irishman, John Philpot Curran. In the 1815
colony were also old Ben Hardin — hero of so many
Indian wars — his brother, Joab, and William
Griffin, Thomas Wyatt, William Martin, Samuel
Elvin, James Akin, John Reed, James Miller and
John B. Craig.
Alden Trimble, who died at Peel, Ark., in
April, 1889, aged seventy-four years, was born in
the Gal Hogan settlement, on White River, Marion
County, June 14, 1815. This item is gained
fi-om the obituary notice of his death, and indicates
some of the very first settlers in that portion of the
State.
Among the oldest settled points, after Arkan-
sas Post, was what is now Arkadelphia, Clark
County. It was first called Blakelytown, after
Adam Blakely. He had opened a little store at
the place^ and about this were collected the first
settlers, among whom may now be named Zack
Davis, Samuel Parker and Adam Highnight. The
Blakelys and the names given above were all locat-
ed in that settlement in the year 1810. The next
year came John Hemphill, who was the first to dis-
30
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
cover aod utilize the valuable waters of the salt
springs of that place. He engaged ia the suc-
cessful manufacture of salt, and was in time suc-
ceeded by his son-in-law, Jonathan O. Callaway.
Jacob Barkman settled in Arkadelphia in 1811.
He was a man of foresight and enterjjrise, and
soon established a trade along the river to New
Orleans. He commenced navigating the river in
canoes and pirogues, and finally owned and ran in
the trade the first steamboat plying from that
jjoint to New Orleans. He pushed trade at the
point of settlement, at the same time advancing
navigation, and opened a large cotton farm.
In Arkansas County, among the early promi-
nent men who were active in the county's affairs
were Eli I. Lewis, Henry Scull, O. H. Thomas,
T. Farrelly, Hewes Scull, A. B. K. Thetford and
Lewis Bogy. The latter afterward removed to
Missouri, and has permanently associated his name
with the history of that vState. In a subsequent
list of names should be mentioned those of Will-
iam Fultony, James Maxwell and James H. Lucas,
the latter being another of the notable citizens of
Missouri.
Carroll County: Judges George Camjroell and
William King, and John Bush, T. H. Clark, Abra-
ham Shelly, William Nooner, Judge Hiram Davis,
W. C. Mitchell, Charles Sneed, A. M. Wilson,
Elijah Tabor, William Beller, M. L. Hawkins,
John McMillan, M. Ferryman, J. A. Hicks, N.
Rudd, Thomas Callen, W. E. Armstrong.
Chicot County: John Clark, William B. Patton,
Richard Latting, George W. Ferribee, Francis
Rycroft, Thomas Knox, W. B. Duncan, J. W.
Boone, H. S. Smith, James Blaine, Abner John-
son, William Hunt, J. W. Neal, James Murray,
B. Magruder, W. P. Reyburn, J. T. White, John
Fulton, Judge W. H. Sutton, J. Chapman, Hiram
Morrell, Reuben Smith, A. W. Webb.
In Clark County, in the earliest times, were
W. P. L. Blair, Colbert Baker, Moses Graham,
Mathew Logan, James Miles, Thomas Drew,
Daniel Ringo, A. Stroud, David Fisk and Isaac
Ward.
Clay County: John J. Griffin, Abraham Rob-
erts, William Davis, William H. Mack. James
Watson, J. G. Dudley, James Campbell, Single-
ton Copeland, C. H. Mobley.
Conway County: Judge Saffold, David Bar-
ber, James Kellam, Reuben Blunt, James Barber,
James Ward, Thomas Mathers, John Houston, E.
W. Owen, Judge B. B. Ball, J. I. Simmons, T. S.
Haynes, B. F. Howard, William Ellis, N. H.
Buckley, James Ward, Judge Robert McCall, W.
H. Robertson, L. C. Griffin, Judge W. T. Gamble,
D. D. Mason, George Fletcher and D. Harrison.
Craighead County: Rufus Snoddy, Daniel
O'Guinn, Yancey Broadway, Henry Powell, D. R.
Tyler, Elias Mackey, William Q. Lane, John Ham-
ilton, Asa Puckett, Eli Quarles, William Puryear.
In Crawford County were Henry Bradford,
Jack Mills, G. C. Pickett, Mark Beane, J. C. Sum-
ner, James Billingsley.
Crittenden County : J. Livingston, W. D. Fer-
guson, W. Goshen, William Cherry, Judge D. H.
Harrig, O. W. Wallace, S. A. Cherry, Judge
Charles Blackmore, S. R. Cherry, John Tory, F.
B. Read, Judge A. B. Hubbins, H. O. Oders, J.
H. Wathen, H. Bacon.
Fulton County: G. W. Archer, William Wells,
Daniel Hubble, Moses Brannon, John Nichols,
Moses Steward, Enos C. Hunter, Milton Yarberry,
Dr. A. C. Cantrell.
Greene County: Judge L. Brookfield, L.
Thompson, James Brown, J. Sutfin, G. Hall,
Charles Robertson, Judge W. Hane, Judge George
Daniel, G. L. Martin, J. Stotts, James Ratchford,
Judge L. Thompson, H. L. Holt, J. L. Atkinson,
J. Clark, H. N. Reynolds, John Anderson, Ben-
jamin Crowley, William Pevehouse, John Mitch-
ell, Aaron Bagwell, A. J. Smith, Wiley Clarkson,
William Hatch.
In Hempstead County: J. M. Steward, A. S.
Walker, Benjamin Clark, A. M. Oakley, Thomas
Dooley, D. T. Witter, Edward Cross, William
McDonald, D. Wilbui-n and James Moss.
Hot Springs County: L. N. West, G. B.
Hughes, Judge W. Durham, G. W. Rogers, T. W.
Johnson, J. T. Grant, J. H. Robinson, H. A.
Whittington, John Callaway, J. T. Grant, Judge
G. Whittington, L. Runyan, R. Huson, J. Bank-
son, Ira Robinson, Judge A. N. Sabin, C. A. Sa-
bin, W. W. McDaniel, W. Dunham, A. B. MeDoa-
ald, Joseph Lorance.
Independence County : R. Searcy, Robert Bean,
Charles Kelh', John Reed, T. Curran, John Bean,
I. Curran, J. L. Daniels, J. Redmon, John Rud-
dell. C. H. Pelham, Samuel Miller, James Micham,
James Trimble, Henry Engles, Hartwell Boswell,
John H. Ringgold.
Izard County: J. P. Houston, John Adams,
Judge Mathew Adams, H. C. Roberts, Jesse Adams,
John Hargrove, J. Blyeth, William Clement,
Judge J. Jeffrey, Daniel Jeffrey, A. Adams, J. A.
Harris, W. B. Carr, Judge B. Hawkins, B. H.
Johnson, D. K. Loyd, W. H. Carr, A. Creswell,
H. W. Bandy, Moses Bishop, Daniel Hively,
John Gray, William Powell Thomas Richardson,
William Seymour.
Jackson County: Judge Hiram Glass, J. C.
Saylors, Isaac Gray, N. Copeland, Judge E.
Bartley, John Robinson, A. M. Carpenter, Judge
D. C. Waters, P. O. Flynn, Hall Roddy, Judge
R. Ridley, G. W. Cromwell, Sam Mathews, Sam
Allen, Martin Bridgeman, John Wideman, New-
ton Ai'nold, Joseph Haggerton, Holloway Stokes.
Jefferson County: Judge W. P. Hackett, J. T.
Pullen, Judge Creed Taylor, Peter German, N.
Holland, Judge Sam C. Roane, William Kinkead,
Thomas O'Neal, E. H. Roane, S. Dardenne, Sam
Taylor, Judge H. Bradford, H. Edgington, Judge
W. H. Lindsey, J. H. Caldwell.
Johnson County: Judge George Jameson,
Thomas Jenette, S. F. Mason, Judge J. P. Kessie,
A. Sinclair, William Fritz, W. J. Parks, R. S.
McMicken, Augustus Ward, Judge J. L. Cravens,
A. M. Ward, M. Rose, A. L. Black, W. A. Ander-
son, Judge J. B. Brown, A. Sinclair, William
Adams, W. M. H. Newton.
Lafayette County : Judge Jacob Buzzard, Jesse
Douglass, Joshua Morrison, I. W. Ward, J. T.
Conway, W. E. Hodges, J. Morrison, George Doo-
ley, J. M. Dorr, J. P. Jett, W. B. Conway, W.
H. Conway, T. V. Jackson, G. H. Pickering,
Judge E. M. Lowe, R. F. Sullivan, James Ab-
rams.
Lawrence County: Joseph Hardin, Robert
Blane, H. Sandford, John Reed, R. Richardson,
J. M. Knykendall, H. R. Hynson, James Camp-
bell, D. W. Lowe, Thomas Black, John Rodney,
John Spotts, William J. Hudson, William Stuart,
Isaac Morris, William B. Marshall, John S. Fick-
lin.
Madison County: Judge John Bowen, H. B.
Brown, P. M. Johnson, H. C. Daugherty, M.
Ferryman, T. McCuiston.
In Miller County : John Clark, J. Ewing, J. H.
Fowler, B. English, C. Wright, G. F. Lawson.
Thomas Polk, George Wetmore, David Clark, J.
G. Pierson, John Morton, N. Y. Crittenden,
Charles Burkem, George Colhim, G. C. Wetmore,
D. C. Steele, G. F. Lawton and Judge G. M.
Martin.
Mississippi County: Judge Edwin Jones, J.
W. Whitworth. E. F. Loyd, S. McLimg, G. C.
Bartield, Judge Nathan Ross, Judge John Troy,
J. W. Dewitt, J. C. Bowen, Judge Fred Miller,
Uriah Russell, T. L. Daniel, J. G. Davis, Judge
Nathan Ross, J. P. Edrington, Thomas Sears,
A. G. Blackmore, William Kellums, Thomas J.
Mills, James Williams, Elijah Buford, Peter G.
Reeves.
Monjfee County: Judge William Ingram, J. C.
Montgomery, James Eagan, John Maddox, Lafay-
ette Jones, Judge James Carlton, M. Mitchell, J.
R. Dye, J. Jacobs, R. S. Bell.
Phillips Coimty: W. B. R. Horner, Daniel
Mooney, S. Phillips, S. M. Rutherford, George
Seaborn, H. L. Biscoe, G. W. Fereby, J. H.
McKenzie, Austin Hendricks, W. H. Calvert, N.
Righton, B. Burress, F. Hanks, J. H. McKeal,
J. K. Sandford, S. S. Smith, C'' P. Smith, J. H.
McKenzie, S. C. Mooney, I. C. P. Tolleson, Emer
Askew, P. Pinkstou, Charles Pearcy, J. B. Ford,
W. Bettiss, J. Skinner, H. Turner and M. Irvin.
Pike County: Judge W. Sorrels, D. S. Dickin-
son, John Hughes, J. W. Dickinson, Judge W.
Kelly, Isaac White, J. H. Kirkhan, E. K. Will-
iams, Henry Brewer.
Poinsett County: Judges Richard Hall and
William Harris, Drs. Theophilus Gritfin and John
P. Hardis, Harrison Ainsworth, Robert H. Stone,
Benjamin Harris.
Pope County: Judge Andrew Scott, Twitty
32
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Pace, H. Stinnett, W. Garrott, W. Mitchell,
Judge S. K. Blythe, A. E. Pace, J. J. Morse, F.
Heron, Judge Thomas Murray, Jr. , S. M. Hayes,
S. S. Hayes, R. S. Witt, Judge Isaac Brown, R.
T. Williamson, W. W. Rankin, Judge J. J. Morse,
J. B. Logan, W. C. Webb.
Pulaski County: R. C. Oden, L. R. Curran,
Jacob Peyatte, A. H. Renick, G. Greathouse, M.
Cunningham, Samuel Anderson, H Armstrong, T.
W. Newton, D. E. McKinney, S. M. Rutherford,
A. McHenry, Allen Martin, J. H. Caldwell, Judge
S. S. Hall, J. Henderson, William Atohinson, R.
N. Rowland, Judge David Rorer, J. K. Taylor,
R. H. Callaway, A. L. Langham, Judge J. H.
Cocke, W. Badgett, G. N. Peay, J. C. Anthony,
L. R. Lincoln, A. Martin, A. S. Walker, Judge
R. Graves, J. P. and John Fields, J. K. Taylor,
W. C. Howell, J. Gould, Roswell Beebe, William
Russell, John C. Peay.
Randolph County: Judge P. R. Pittman, B. J.
Wiley, William Black, R. Bradford, J. M. Cooper,
B. J. Wiley, B. M. Simpson, John Janes, James
Campbell, Samuel McElroy, Edward Mattix,
Thomas S. Drew, R. S. Bettis, James Russell.
St. Francis County: Andrew Roane,- William
Strong, S. Crouch, Judge John Johnson, T. J.
Curl, G. B. Lincecum, William Lewis, Judge
William Strong, Isaac Mitchell, David Davis,
Isaac Forbes, Judge William Enos, N. O. Little,
W. G. Bozeman, H. M. Carothers, Judge R. H.
Hargrove, H. H. Curl, Cyrus Little.
Saline County : Judge T. S. Hutchinson, Samuel
Caldwell, V. Brazil, C. Lindsey, A. Carrick, Judge
H. Prudden, G. "B. Hughes, Samuel Collins, J. J.
Joiner, J. R. Conway, R. Brazil, E. M. Owen,
George McDaniel, C. P. Lyle.
Scott County: Judge Elijah Baker, S. B.
Walker, James Riley, J. R. Choate, Judge James
Logan, G. Marshall, Charles Humphrey, W. Cau-
thorn, G. C. Walker, T. J. Garner, Judge Gilbert
Marshall, W. Kenner.
Searcy CoTiuty : J udge William Wood, William
Kavanaugh, E. M. Hale, Judge Joseph Rea, Will-
iam Ruttes, Joe Brown, V. Robertson, T. S. Hale,
Judge J. Campbell.
Sevier County: Judge John Clark, R. Hart-
field, G. Clark, J. T. Little, Judge David Forau,
P. Little, William, White, Charles Moore, A.
Hartfield, Judge J. F. Little, Henry Morris,
Judge Henry Brown, George Halbrook, Judge
R. H. Scott, S. S. Smith.
Sharp County: John King, Robert Lott, Nich-
olas Norris, William Morgan, William J. Gray,
William Williford, Solomon Hudspeth, Stephen
English, John Walker, L. D. Dale, John C. Gar-
ner, R. P. Smithee, Josiah Richardson, Judge A.
H. Nunn, William G. Matheny.
Union County: John T. Cabeen, John Black,
Jr., Judge John Black, Sr. , Benjamin Gooch,
Alexander Beard, Thomas O'Neal, Judge G. B.
Hughes, John Cornish, John Hogg, Judge Hiram
Smith, J. R. Moore, John Henry, John Stokeley,
Judge Charles H. Seay, W. L. Bradley, Judge
Thomas Owens.
Van Buren County: Judge J. L. Laferty, P.
O. Powell, N. Daugherty, Philip Wail, L. Will-
iams, Judge J. B. Craig, Judge J. M. Baird, J.
McAllister, Judge William Dougherty, A. Mor-
rison, George Counts, A. Caruthers, W. W. Trim-
ble, R. Bain, J. O. Young, George Hardin, A. W.
McRaines, Judge J. C. Ganier:
Washington County: L. Newton, Lewis Evans,
John Skelton, Judge Robert McAmy, B. H.
Smithson, Judge John Wilson, James Marrs, V.
Caru^thers, James Coulter, J. T. Edmonson, Judge
J. M. Hoge, James Crawford, John McClellan,
Judge W. B. Woody, W. W. Hester, Judge John
Cureton, L. C. Pleasants, Isaac Murphy, D. Calla-
ghan. Judge Thomas Wilson, W. L. Wallace and
L. W. Wallace.
White County: Judge Samuel Guthrie, P. W.
Roberts, P. Crease, Michael Owens, M. H. Blue,
S. Arnold, J. W. Bond, William Cook, J. Arnold,
Milton Saunders, Jaoes Bird, Samuel Beeler,
James Walker, Martin Jones, Philip Hilger, James
King, L. Pate, John Akin, Reuben Stephens, Sam-
uel Guthrie.
Woodruff County: Rolla Gray, Durant H.
Bell, John Dennis, Dudley Glass. Michael Hag-
gerdon, Samuel Taylor, James Barnes, George
Hatch, John Teague, Thomas Arnold and Thomas
Hough.
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
33
The above were all prominent men in their lo-
calities during the Territorial times of Arkansas.
Many of them have left names and memories inti-
mately associated with the history of the State.
They were a part of those pioneers ' ' who hewed
the dark, old woods away, ' ' and left a rich inheri-
tance, and a substantial civilization, having wealth,
refinement and luxuries, that were never a part of
their dreams. They were home makers as well as
State and Nation builders. They cut out the roads,
opened their farms, bridged the streams, built
houses, made settlements, towns and cities, render-
ing all things possible to their descendants ; a race
of heroes and martyrs pre-eminent in all time for
the blessings they transmitted to posterity; they
repelled the painted savage, and exterminated the
ferocious wild beasts; they worked, struggled and
endured that others might enjoy the fruits of their
heroic sacrifices. Their lives were void of evil to
mankind; possessing little ambition, their touch
was the bloom and never the blight. Granted,
cynic, they builded wiser than they knew, yet they
built, and built well, and their every success was
the triumphant march of peace. Let the record of
their humble but great lives be immortal!
The New Madrid earthquake of 1811-12, com-
mencing in the last of December, and the subterra-
nean forces ceasing after three months' duration,
was of itself a noted era, but to the awful display
of nature's forces was added a far more important
and lasting event, the result of the silent but
mighty powers of the human mind. Simulta-
neously with the hour of the most violent convul-
sions of nature, the third day of the earthquake,
there rode out at the mouth of the Ohio, into the
lashed and foaming waters of the Mississippi, the
first steamboat that ever ploughed the western
waters — the steamer ' ' Orleans, ' ' Capt. Roosevelt.
So awful was the display of nature's energies, that
the granitic earth, with a mighty sound, heaved
and writhed like a storm-tossed ocean. The great
river turned back in its flow, the waves of the
ground burst, shooting high in the air, spouting
sand and water; great forest-covered hills disap-
peared at the bottom of deep lakes into which
they had sunk; and the "sunk lands" are to
this day marked on the maps of Southeast Mis-
souri and Northeast Arkansas. The sparse popu-
lation along the river (New Madrid was a flourish-
ing young town) fled the country in terror, leav-
ing mostly their efPects and domestic animals.
The wild riot of nature met in this wilderness
the triumph of man's genius. Where else on the
globe so appropriately could have been this meet-
ing of the opposing forces as at the mouth of the
Ohio and on the convulsed bosom of the Father of
Waters? How feeble, apparently, in this contest,
were the powers of man; how grand and awful the
play of nature's forces! The mote struggling
against the "wreck of worlds and crush of mat-
ter. ' ' But, ' ' peace be still, ' ' was spoken to the
vexed earth, while the invention of Fulton will go
on forever. The revolving paddle-wheels were the
incipient drive-wheels, on which now ride in tri-
umph the glories of this great age.
The movement of immigrants to Arkansas in
the decade following the earthquake was retarded
somewhat, whereas, barring this, it should and
would have been stimulated into activity by the
advent of steamboats upon the western rivers. The
south half of the State was in the possession of
the Quapaw Indians. The Spanish attempts at
colonizing were practical failures. His Catholic
majesty was moving in the old ruts of the feudal
ages, in the deep-seated faith of the "divinity of
kings," and the jiaternal powers and duties of
rulers. The Bastrop settlement of "thirty fam-
ilies," by a seigniorial grant in 1797, had brought
years of suffering, disappointment and failure.
This was an attempt to found a colony on the
Ouachita River, granting an entire river and a
strip of land on each side thereof to Bastrop,
the government to pay the passage of the people
across the ocean and to feed and clothe them one
year. To care for its vassals, and to provide
human breeding grounds ; swell the multitudes for
the use of church and State; to "glorify God"
by repressing the growing instincts of liberty and
the freedom of thought, and add subjects to the
possession and powers of these gilded toads, were
the essence of the oriental schemes for peopling
the new world. Happily for mankind they failed.
34
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
and the wild beasts. returned to care for their young
in safety and await the coming of the real pioneers,
they who came bringing little or nothing, save
a manly sjiirit of self-reliance and indepondence.
These were the successful founders and builders
of empire in the wilderness.
;«ft»ii i¥.
Organization. — The Viceroys and Governors — The Attitude of the Royal Owners of Louisiana-
The District Divided — The Territory of Arkansas Formed from the Territory of Missouri
—The Territorial Government— The First Legislature— The .Seat of Government
—Other Legislative Bodies— The Deullo— Arkansas Admitted to Statehood
— The Con.stitutional Conventions — The Memorable Reconstruction
Period— Legislative Attitude on the Question of Secession
—The War of the Governors, etc., etc.
5ta.,*S
n"S^'»^?ili? Hfe^:^ -^ *^® preceding chapter are
'' >it^u ISJ.^iit'i' briefly traced the changes
A^'A ^: t'J * ,;^ [_,> "i m the government ot the
^i^kV" Territory of Louisiana from
the
its discovery to the year
•^)^ 1803, when it became a
^'^'^ part of the territory of
United States. Discovered by
the Spanish, possessed by the French,
divided and re-divided between the
French, Spanish and English; set-
"^^^ tied by the Holy Mother Church,
^T^jfe:; J' in the warp and woof of nations it
f: was the flying shuttle-cock of the
great weaver in its religion as well
as allegiance for 261 years. This
5" foundling, this waif of nations, was
but an outcast, or a trophy chained to the
triumphal car of the victors among the warring
Eui-opean powers, until in the providence of God
it reached its haven and abiding home in the
bosom of the union of States.
As a French province, the civil government of
Louisiana was organized, and the Marquis de San-
ville apjaointed viceroy or governor in 1689.
UNDER FRENCH EDLE.
Robert Cavelier ile La Salle (April 9,
formal). 1683-1688
Marquis de Sanville 1689-1700
Bienville 1 701-1713
Lamothe Cadillar 1713-1715
De L'Epinay 1716-1717
Bienville 1718-1733
Boisbriant (ad interim) 1734
Bienville 1783-1741
Baron de Kelerec 1753-1763
D'Abbadie 1763-1766*
UNDER SPANISH RULE.
Antonio de Ulloa 1767-1768
Alexander O'Reilly 1768-1769
Louis de Unzaga 1770-1776
Bernando de Galvez ' 1777-1784
Estevar Miro 178.5-1787
Francisco Luis Hortu, Baron of Caron-
delet 1789-1793
Gayoso de Lemos 1798-1798
Sebastian de Cosa Calvo y O'Farrell. . .1798-1799
.Juan Manual de Salcedo 1800-1803
From the dates already given it will be seen
that the official acts of Salcedo during his entire
* Louisiana west of the Mississippi, although ceded
to Spain in 1763, remained under French jurisdiction
until 1766.
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
1217074
35
term of office, iinder the secret treaty of Ildefonso,
were tainted with irregularity. Thousands of land
grants had been given by him after he had in fact
ceased to be the viceroy of Spain. The contract- |
ing powers had affixed to the treaty the usual ob- i
ligations of the fulfillment of all undertakings, but
the American courts and lawyers, in that ancient
spirit of legal hypercritical technicalities, had
given heed to the vicious doctrine that acts in good j
faith of a de facto governor may be treated as of
questionable validity. This was never good law,
because it was never good sense or justice.
The acts and official doings of these vice-royal-
ties in the wilderness present little or nothing of
interest to the student of history, because they
were local and individual in their bearing. It
was the action of the powers across the waters, in
reference to Canada and Louisiana, that in their
wide and sweeping effects have been nearly omnip-
otent in shaping civilization.
Referring to the acquisition of Canada and the
Louisiana east of the Mississippi River, Bancroft
says that England exulted in its conquest;*
enjoying the glory of extended dominion in the
confident expectation of a boundless increase of
wealth. But its success was due to its having
taken the lead in the good old struggle for liberty,
and it was destined to bring fruits, not so much to
itself as to the cause of freedom and mankind.
France, of all the States on the continent of
Europe the most powerful, by territorial unity,
wealth, numbers, industry and culture, seemed
also by its place marked out for maritime ascend-
ency. Set between many seas it rested upon the
Mediterranean, possessed harbors on the German
Ocean, and embraced between its wide shores and
jutting headlands the bays and open waters of the
Atlantic; its people, infolding at one extreme the
offspring of colonists from Greece, and at the
other the hardy children of the Northmen, being
called, as it were, to the inheritance of life upon
the sea. The nation, too, readily conceived or ap-
propriated great ideas and delighted in bold re-
solves. Its travelers had penetrated farthest into
*Bancroft, vol. iv.-4.57; Gayarre's Histoire de la
Louisiane, vol. ii.-131.
the fearful interior of unknown lands; its mission
aries won most familiarly the contidence of the
aboriginal hordes; its writers described with
keener and wiser observation the forms of nature
in her wildness, and the habits and languages of
savage man ; its soldiers, and every lay Frenchman
in America owed military service, uniting beyond
all others celerity with courage, knew best how to
endure the hardships of forest life and to triumph
in forest warfare. Its ocean chivalry had given a
name and a colony to Carolina, and its merchants
a people to Acadia. The French discovered the
basin of the St. Lawrence; were the first to ex-
plore and possess the banks of the Mississippi, and
planned an American empire that should unite the
widest valleys and most copious inland waters in
the world. But over all this splendid empire in
the old and the new world was a government that
was medieval — mured in its glittering palaces,
taxing its subjects, it would allow nothing to come
to the Louisiana Territory but what was old and
worn out. French America was closed against even
a gleam of intellectual independence; nor did all
Louisiana contain so much as one dissenter from
the Roman Church.
" We have caught them at last," exultingly ex-
claimed Choiseul, when he gave up the Canadas
to England and the Louisiana to Spain. ' ' Eng-
land will ere long repent of having removed the
only check that could keep her colonies in awe. *
* * She will call on them to support the bur-
dens they have helped to bring on her, and they
will answer by striking off all dependence," said
Vergennes.
These keen-witted Frenchmen, with a pene-
tration far beyond the ablest statesmen of Eng-
land, saw, as they believed, and time has con-
firmed, that in the humiliation and dismember-
ment of the territory of France, esjiecially the
transfer to England of Canada, they had laid the
mine which some day would destroy the British
colonial system, and probably eventuate in the
independence of the American colonies. The in
tellect of France was keeping step with the spirit
of the age; it had been excluded of course from
the nation's councils, but saw what its feeble
36
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
government neither could see nor prevent, that the
distant wilderness possessed a far greater impor-
tance on the world's new map than was given it
by the gold and gems it was supposed to contain;
and that the change of allegiance of the colonies
was the great step in the human mind, as it was
slowly emerging from the gloom and darkness of
the middle ages. Thus it was that the mere Terri-
tory of Louisiana, before it was peopled by civilized
man, was playing its important part in the world's
greatest of all dramas.
The first official act of our government, after
the purchase of Louisiana, was an act of Congress,
March 26, 180-t, dividing Louisiana into two dis-
tricts, and attaching the whole to Indiana Terri-
tory, under the government of William Henry
Harrison. The division in Louisiana was by a line
on the thirty- third parallel; the south was named
the District of Orleans; that north of it was named
the District of Louisiana. This is now the south
line of the State of Arkansas.
In 1805 the District of Louisiana was erected in-
to the Territory of Louisiana. It was however a terri-
tory of the second class and remained under the gov-
ernment and control of Indiana Territory until 1812.
By act of June 4, 1812, the name of Louisiana
Territory was changed and became the Missoiiri
Territory, being made a territory of the first class,
and given a territorial government. Capt. "William
Clark, of the famous Lewis and Clark, explorers of
the northwest, was appointed governor, remaining
as such until 1819, when Arkansas Territory was
cut ofP from Missouri.
The act of 1812, changing the District of
Louisiana to Missouri Territory, provided for a
Territorial legislature consisting of nine members,
and empowered the governor to lay off that
part where the Indian title had been extinguished
into thirteen counties. The county of New
Madrid, as then formed, extended into the Arkan-
sas territorial limits, ' ' down to the Mississippi to
a point directly east of the mouth of Little Red
River; thence to the mouth of Red River; thence
up the Red River to the Osage purchase," etc.
In other words it did not embrace the whole of
what is now Arkansas.
December 13, 1813, the County of Arkansas,
Missouri Territory, was formed, and the county
seat was fixed at Arkansas Post.*
Besides Arkansas County, Lawrence County
was formed January 15, 1815, and Clark, Hemp-
stead and Pulaski Counties, December 15, 1818.
Missouri neglected it seems to provide a judi-
cial district for her five southern or Arkansas
counties. Therefore Congress, in 1814, authorized
the President to appoint an additional judge for
Missouri Territory, ' ' who should hold office four
years and reside in or near the village of Arkan-
sas," — across the river from Arkansas Post.
March 2, 1819, Congress created the Territory
of Arkansas out of the Missouri Territory. It was
only a territory of the second class, and the ma-
chinery of government consisted of the governor
and three judges, who constituted the executive,
judicial and legislative departments, their offi-
cial acts requiring the consent of Congress. Pres-
ident Monroe appointed James Miller, governor;
Robert Crittenden, secretary; Charles Jouett,
Andrew Scott and Robert P. Letcher, judges of the
superior court. The act designated Arkansas Post
as the temporary seat of government. In the ab-
sence of the Governor, Robert Crittenden, "act-
ing governor," convened the first session of the
provisional government on August 3, 1819. The
act continued the new territory under the laws of
Missouri Territory. The five coimties designated
above as formed prior to the division of Arkansas,
had been represented in the Missouri Territorial
legislature. Elijah Kelly, of Clark County, was a
representative, and he rode on horseback from his
home to St. Louis. The session was probably not
a week in length, and the pay and mileage little
or nothing.
This first Territorial legislature appointed a
treasurer and auditor, provided a tax for general
purposes, and divided the five counties into two
judicial circuits: First, Arkansas and Lawrence
Counties ; Second, Pulaski, Clark and Hempstead
Counties.
* During the latter part of the eighteenth century,
something of the same municipal division was made, and
called "Arkansas Parish," the name being derived
from an old Indian town called Arkansea.
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
37
AjJril 21, 1820, Congress passed aa act per-
fecting the Territorial organization, and applying
the same jarovisions to Arkansas that were contained
in the act creating Missouri into a Territory of the
tirst class.
The first legislative body elected in Arkansas
convened at Ai'kansas Post, February 7 to 24, 1820.
In the council were: President, Edward McDonald;
secretary, Richard Searcy; members, Arkansas
County, Sylvanus Phillips; Clark County, Jacob
Barkman; Hempstead County, David Clark;
Lawrence County, Edward McDonald; Pulaski
County, John. McElmiirry. In the house of rep-
resentatives: Speaker, Joseph Hardin (William
Stephenson was tirst elected, served one day and
resigned, on account of indisposition); J. Cham-
berlain, clerk; members, Arkansas County, W. B.
R. Horner, W. O. Allen; Clark, Thomas Fish;
Hempstead, J. English, W. Stevenson; Lawrence,
Joseph Hardin, Joab Hardin; Pulaski, Radford
Ellis, T. H. Tindall. This body later adjourned to
meet October following, continuing in session until
the 25th.
At this adjourned session the question of the
removal of the Territorial seat of government from
Arkansas Post to ' ' the Little Rock, ' ' came up on
a memorial signed by Amos Wheeler and others.
"The Little Rock" was in contradistinction to
"the Rocks," as were known the beautiful bluffs,
over 200 feet high, a little above and across the
river from ' • the Little Rock. ' ' In 1820 Gov.
Miller visited the Little Rock — Petit Rocher —
with a view to selecting a new seat of government.
The point designated was the northeast corner of
the Quapaw west line and Arkansas River. Im-
mediately upon the formation of the Territory,
prominent parties began to look out for a more
central location for a capital higher up the river,
and it was soon a general understanding that the
seat of government and the county seat of Pulaski
County, the then adjoining county above Arkansas
County on the river, would be located at the same
place. A syndicate was formed and Little Rock
Bluff was pushed for this double honor. The
government had not yet opened the land to pub-
lic entry, as the title of the Quapaws had just been
extinguished. These parties resorted to the expe-
dient of locating upon the land ' ' New Madrid
floats," or claims, under the act of February 17,
1815, which authorized any one whose land had
been " materially injured " by the earthquake of
1811 to locate the like quantity of laud on any of
the jjublic lands open for sale. Several hundred
acres were entered iinder these claims as the f ut-
iire town site. The county seat of Pulaski County
was, contrary to the expectation of the Little Rock
syndicate, located at Cadron, near the mouth of
Cadron Creek, where it enters the Arkansas River.
On the 18th day of October, 1820, the Terri-
torial seat of government was removed from the
Post of Arkansas to the Little Rock, the act to
take effect June 1, 1821. The next Territorial
legislature convened in Little Rock, October 1 to
24, 1821. The council consisted of Sam C. Roane,
president, and Richard Searcy, secretary. In the
house William Trimble was speaker, and A. H.
Sevier, clerk.
The third legislature met October 6 to 31,
1823. Sam C. Roane was president of the coun-
cil, and Thomas W. Newton, secretary; while T.
Farrelly was speaker, and D. E. McKinney, clerk
of the house.
The fourth legislature was held October 3 to
November 3, 1825. Of the council, the president
was Jacob Barkman; secretary, Thomas W. New-
ton. Of the house, Robert Bean was speaker;
David Barber, clerk.
The fifth Territorial legislature was held October
1 to 31, 1827, and a special session held October
6 to October 28, 1828; E. T. Clark served as presi-
dent of the council, and John Clark, secretary;
J. Wilson was speaker of the house, and Daniel
Ringo, clerk.
In the sixth legislature, Charles Caldwell was
president of the council, and John Caldwell, secre-
tary; John Wilson was speaker of the house, and
Daniel Ringo, clerk.
The seventh legislature held October 3 to
November 7, 1831, had Charles Caldwell as presi-
dent of the council, and Absalom Fowler, secre-
tary; William Trimble was speaker of the house,
and G. W. Ferebee, secretary.
38
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
In the eighth legislature, October 7 to Novem-
ber 16, 1833, John Williamson was president of the
council and William F. Yeomans, secretary; John
Wilson was speaker of the house, and James B.
Keatts, clerk.
The ninth legislature met October 5 to Novem-
ber 16, 1835. The president of the senate was
Charles Caldwell; secretary, S. T. Sanders. John
Wilson was speaker of the house and L. B. Tully,
clerk.
This was the last of the Territorial assemblies.
James Miller was succeeded as governor by George
Izard, March 4, 1825, and Izard by John Pope,
March 9, 1829. William Fulton followed Pope
March 9, 1835, and held the office until Arkansas
became a State.
Robert Crittenden was secretary of State
(nearly all of Miller's term "acting governor"),
appointed March 3, 1819, and was succeeded in
office by William Fulton, April 8, 1829; Fulton
was succeeded by Lewis Randolph, February 23,
1835.
George W. Scott was appointed Territorial
auditor August 5, 1819, and was succeeded by
Richard C. Byrd, November 20, 1829; Byrd was
followed by Emzy Wilson, November 5, 1831; and
the latter by William Pelham, November 12, 1833,
his successor being Elias N. Conway, July 25, 1835.
James Scull, appointed treasurer August 5,
1819, was succeeded by S. M. Rutherford, Novem-
ber 12, 1833, who continued in office until the
State was formed.
The counties in 1825 had been increased in num-
ber to thirteen: Arkansas, Clark, Conway, Chicot,
Crawford, Crittenden, Lawrence, Miller, Hemp-
stead, Independence, Pulaski, Izard and Phillips.
The territory was divided into four judicial cir-
cuits, of which William Trimble, Benjamin John-
son, Thomas P. Eskridge and James Woodson
Bates were, in the order named, the judges. The
delegates in Congress from Arkansas Territory were
James W. Bates, 1820-23; Henry W. Conway,
1823-29; Ambrose H. Sevier, 1829-36.
The Territorial legislature, in common with all
other legislatures of that day, passed some laws
which would have been much better not passed, and
others that remained a dead letter on the books.
Among other good laws which were never enforced
was one against duelling. In 1825 Whigs and
Democrats allowed party feelings to run high, and
some bloody duels grew out of the heat of cam-
paigns.
Robert Crittenden and Hem-y W. Conway
fought a duel October 29, 1827. At the first fire
Conway fell mortally wounded and died a fortnight
thereafter.
December 4, 1837, John Wilson, who, it will
be noticed, figured prominently in the preceding
record of the Territorial assemblies, was expelled
from the house of representatives, of which body
he was speaker, for killing J. J. Anthony.
A constitutional convention, for the purpose of
arranging for the Territory to become a State in the
Union, was held in Little Rock, in January, 1836.
Its duty was to prepare a suitable constitution and
submit it to Congress, and, if unobjectionable, to
have an act passed creating the State of Arkan-
sas. John Wilson was president, and Charles P.
Bertrand, secretary, of the convention. Thirty-
five counties were represented by fifty-two members.
June 15, 1836, Arkansas was made a State,
and the preamble of the act recites that there was
a population of 47,700.
The first State legislature met September 12 to
November 8, 1836, later adjourning to November
6, 1837, and continued in session until March 5,
1838. The president of the senate was Sam C.
Roane; secretary, A. J. Greer; the speaker of the
house was John Wilson (he was expelled and
Grandison D. Royston elected) ; clerk, S. H. Hemp-
stead.
The second constitutional convention, held
January 4 to January 23, 1864, had as president,
John McCoy, and secretary, R. J. T. White. This
convention was called by virtue of President Lin-
coln's proclamation. The polls had been opened
chiefly at the Federal military posts, and the major-
ity of delegates were really refugees from many of
the counties they represented. It simply was an
informal meeting of the Union men in resjjonse to
the President's wish, and they mostly made their
own credentials. The Federal army occupied the
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
39
Arkansas River and points north, while the south
portion of the State was held by the Confederates.
It is said the convention on important legal ques-
tions was largely influenced by Hon. T. D. W.
Yonly, of Pulaski County. The convention prac-
tically re-enacted the constitution of 1836, abolished
slavery, already a fact, and created the separate
office of lieutenant-governor, instead of the former
ex-officio president of the senate. The machinery
of State government was thus once more in oper-
ation. The convention wisely did its work and
adjourned.
The next constitutional convention was held
January 7 to February 18, 1868. Thomas M.
Bowen was president, and John G. Price, secretary.
The war was over and the Confederates had re-
turned and were disposed to favor the constitution
which they found the Unionists had adopted in
their absence,, and was then in full force in the
State. Isaac Murphy (Federal) had been elected
governor under the constitution of 1864, and all
the State offices were under control of the Union-
ists. Hia term as governor would expire in Julv,
1868.
This convention made sweeping changes in the
fundamental laws. The most prominent were the
disfranchisement of a large majority of the white
voters of the State, enfranchising the negroes, and
providing for a comjilex and plastic system of reg-
istration. This movement, and its severe character
throughout, were a part of the .reconstruction
measures emanating from Congress. Arkansas
was under military rule and the constitution of
1864, and this condition of affairs, had been ac-
cepted by the returned conquered Confederates.
But the Unionists, who had fled to the Federal
military posts for protection, were generally eager
to visit their vanquished enemies with the severest
penalties of the law. A large part of the intel-
ligence and tax-payers of the State were indis-
criminately excluded from the polls, and new vot-
ers and new men came to the front, with grievances
to be avenged and ambitions to be gratified. The
unusual experiment of the reversal of the civic
conditions of the ex-slaves with their former mas-
ters was boldly undertaken. Impetuous men now
prevailed in the name of patriotism, the natural
reflex swing of the pendulum — the anti-climax was
this convention of reconstruction to the convention
of secession of 1861. The connection between
these two conventions — 1861-1868 — is so blended
that the convention of '61 is omitted in its chro-
nological order, that the two may be set properly
side by side.
March 4, 1861, a State convention assembled
in Little Rock. The election of delegates was
on February 18, preceding. The convention met
the day Abraham Lincoln was inducted into office
as president of the United States. The people of
Arkansas were deeply concerned. The conserva-
tive minds of the State loved the Union as sin-
cerely as they regretted the wanton assaults that
had been made upon them by the extremists of the
North. The members of that convention had
been elected with a view to the consideration of
those matters already visible in the dark war-clouds
lowering upon the country. The test of the un-
ion and disunion sentiment of that body was the
election of president of the convention. Judge
David Walker (Union) received forty votes against
thirty-five votes for Judge B. C. Totten. Hon.
Henry F. Thomasson introduced a series of con-
servative resolutions, condemning disunion and
looking to a convention of all the States to ' ' settle
the slavery question ' ' and secure the perpetuation
of tie Union. The resolutions were passed, and
the convention adjourned to meet again in May fol
lowing. This filled the wise and conservative men
of the State with great hopes for the future. But,
most unfortunately, when the convention again
met war was already upon the country, and the
ordinance of secession was passed, with but one
negative vote. The few days between the adjourn-
ment and re-assembling of the convention had not
made traitors of this majority that had so recent-
ly .condemned disunion. The swift-moving events,
everywhere producing consternation and alarm,
called out determined men, and excitement ruled
the hour.
The conventions of 1861 and 1868 — secession
and reconstruction! When the long - gathering
cloud-burst of civil war had passed, it left a cen-
40
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
tury's trail of broken hearts, desolated homes,
ruined lives, and a stream of demoralization over-
flowing the beautiful valleys of the land to the
mountain tops. The innocent and unfortimate ne-
gro was the stumbling-block at all times. The con-
vention of 1861 would have founded an empire of
freedom, buttressed in the slavery of the black man;
the convention of 1868 preferred to rear its great col-
umn of liberty upon the ashes of the unfortunate
past; in every era the wise, conservative and patriotic
sentiment of the land was chained and bound to
the chariot- wheels of rejoicing emotion. Prudence
and an intelligent insight into the future alone
could prevent men from '"losing their reason."
The constitution of 1868, as a whole, was not
devoid of merit. It opened the way for an age of
internal improvements, and intended the establish-
ment of a liberal public free school system, and at
the same time provided safeguards to protect the
public treasury and restrain reckless extravagance.
Then the legislatures elected under it, the State
ofBcers, and the representatives in the upper and
lower Congress, were in political accord with the
dominant party of the country. Gen. Grant was
president; Powell Clayton, governor; Robert J. L.
White, secretary of State; J. R. Berry, auditor,
and Henry Page, treasurer. The first legislature
under the constitution of 1868 passed most liberal
laws to aid railroads and other internal improve-
ments, and provided a system of revenue laws to
meet the new order of affairs. During 1869 to
1871 railroad aid and levee bonds to the amount of
$10,419,773.74 were issued. The supreme court
of the State in after years declared the railroad
aid, levee and Halford bonds void, aggregating
$8,604,773.74. Before his term of governor had
expired, Gov. Clayton was elected United States
senator (1871-77), and in 1873 Hon. Stephen W.
Dorsey was elected to a like position.
The climax and the end of reconstruction in
Arkansas will always be an interesting paragraph
in the State's history. Elisha Baxter and Joseph
Brooks were the gubernatorial candidates at the
election of 1872. Both were Republicans, and
Brooks was considered one of the most ardent of
that party. Baxter was the nominee of the party
and on the same ticket with Grant, who was can-
didate for president. Brooks was nominated on a
mixed ticket, made up by disaffected Republicans,
but on a more liberal platform toward the Demo-
crats than the regular ticket. On the face of the
first retui'ns the Greeley electors and the Brooks
ticket were in the majority, but when the votes
were finally canvassed, such changes were made,
from illegal voting or bulldozing it was claimed,
as to elect the Grant and Baxter tickets. Under
the constitution of 1868, the legislature was de-
clared the sole judge of the election of State officers.
Brooks took his case before that body at its Jan-
uary term, 1873 — at which time Baxter was in-
augurated — but the assembly decided that Baxter
was elected, and, whether right or wrong, every
one supposed the question permanently settled.
Brooks however, went before the supreme
court (McClure being chief justice), that body
promptly deciding that the legislature was by law
the prof)er tribunal, and that as it had determined
the case its action was final and binding. Bax-
ter was inaugurated in January, 1873; had been
declared elected by the proper authorities, and
this had been confirmed by the legislature, the
action of the latter being distinctly approved
by the supreme court. The adherents of Brooks
had supposed that they were greatly wronged,
but like good citizens all acquiesced. Those
who had politically despised Brooks — perhaps
the majority of his voters — had learned to sym-
pathize with what they believed were his and
their mutual wrongs. Baxter had peacefully ad-
ministered the office more than a year, when
Brooks went before Judge John Whytock, of the
Pulaski circuit court, and commenced quo warranto
proceedings against Baxter. The governor's at-
torneys filed a demuiTer, and the case stood over.
Wednesday, April 15, 1874, Judge Whytock, in
the absence of Baxter's attorneys, overruled the de-
murrer, giving judgment of ouster against Baxter,
and instantly Brooks, with an office)', hastened to
the State house, demanded the surrender of the
office, and arrested Baxter. Thus a stroke of the
pen by a mere circuit court judge in banc plunged
the State into tumult.
HISTOEY OF ARKANSAS.
41
Couriers sped over the city, and the flying news
gave the people a genuine sensation. Indeed, not
only Baxter but the State and the nation received
a great surprise.
As soon as Baxter was released, though only
under arrest a few minutes, he fled to St. John's
College, in the city, and from this headquarters
called for soldiers, as did Brooks from the
State house, and alas, poor Arkansas! there were
now again two doughty governors beating the
long roll and swiftly forming in the ranks of war.
Brooks converted the State house and grounds
into a garrison, while Baxter made headquarters
at the old Anthony Hotel, and the dead-line be-
tween the armed foes was Main Street. Just in
time to prevent mutual annihilation, though not
in time to prevent bloodshed, some United States
soldiers arrived and took up a position of armed
neutrality between the foes.
If there can be anything comical in a tragedy
it is furnished just here in the fact that, in the
twinkling of an eye, the adherents and voters of the
two governors had changed places, and each was
now fighting for the man whom he had opposed so
vehemently. And in all these swift changes the
supreme court had shown the greatest agility.
By some remarkable legerdemain, Brooks, who was
intrenching himself, had had his case again placed
before the supreme court, and it promptly reversed
itself and decided that the circuit court had juris-
diction. The wires to Washington were kept hot
with messages to President Grant and Congress.
The whole State was in dire commotion with ' ' mus-
tering squadrons and clattering cars. ' ' The fre-
quent popping of picket guns was in the land; a
steamboat, laden with arms for Baxter, was at-
tacked and several killed and many wounded.
Business was again utterly pi'ostrated and horrors
brooded over the unfortunate State; and probably
the most appalling feature of it all was that in the
division in the ranks of the people the blacks, led
by whites, were mostly on one side, while the
whites were arrayed on the other. Congress sent
the historical Poland Committee to investigate
Arkansas affairs. President Grant submitted all
legal questions to his attorney-general.
The President, at the end of thirty days after
the forcible possession of the office, sustained Bax-
ter — exit Brooks. The end of the war, the cli-
max of reconstruction in Arkansas, had come.
Peace entered as swiftly as had war a few days be-
fore. The sincerity and intensity of the people's
happiness in this final ending are found in the fact
that when law and order were restored no one was
impeached, no one was imprisoned for treason.
The report of the Poland Committee. 1874,
the written opinion of Attorney-General Williams,
the decision of the Arkansas supreme court by
Judge Samuel W. Williams, found in Vol. XXIX of
Arkansas Reports, page 173, and the retiring mes-
sage of Governor Baxter, are the principal records
of the literature and history of the reign of the
dual governors. The students of law and history
in coming time will turn inquiring eyes with
curious interest upon these o'fiicial pages. The
memory of ' ' the thirty days ' ' in Arkansas will
live forever, propagating its lessons and bearing
its warnings; the wise moderation and the spirit
of forbearance of the people, in even their exult-
ing hour of triumph, will be as beacon lights
shining out upon the troubled waters, transmit-
ting for all time the transcendent fact that in the
hour of supreme trial the best intelligence of the
people is wiser than their rulers, better law-
givers than their statesmen, and incomparably
superior to their courts.
The moment that President Grant officially
spoke, the reconstruction constitution of 1868 was
doomed. True, the people had moved almost in
mass and without leadership in 1873, and had
repealed Article VIII of the constitution, disfran-
chising a large part of the intelligent tax- payers
of the State.
The constitutional convention of 1874, with
the above facts fresh before it, met and promul-
gated the present State constitution. G. D. Roy-
ston was president, and T. W. Nev?ton, secretary.
The session lasted from July 14 to October 31,
1874. From the hoiir of its adoption the clouds
rolled away, and at once commenced the present
unexampled prosperity of the Slate. Only here and
there in Little Rock and other points in the State
42
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
may one see the mute but eloquent mementos of
the past, in the dilapidated buildings, confiscated
during the lifetime of some former owner, may-
hap, some once eminent citizen, now in his grave
or self-expatriated from a State which his life
and genius had adorned and helped make great.
Municipalities and even small remote districts are
paying off the last of heavy debts of the ' ' flush
times. ' ' Long suffering and much chastened State
and people, forgetting the past, and full of hope for
the future, are fitly bedecking (though among the
youngest) the queenliest in the sisterhood of States.
In this connection it will be of much interest to
notice the names of those individuals, who, bj'
reason of their association with various public
afPairs, have become well and favorably known
throughout the State. The term of service of each
incumbent of the respective offices has been pre-
served and is here given. The following table
includes the acting Territorial and State governors
of Arkansas, with date of inauguration, party pol-
itics, etc:
1
a
■H
1.
Teriitory
H
Date of
frH
~a
1 =
and State.
'■^
Inauguration.
X
- >.
"y
t.
a
S^S
^^
>*
H
cq'"
S
H
James Miller...
App't'd
March 3, 1819
George Izard...
App't'd
March 4, 1825
John Pope
App't'd
March 9, 1829
Wm. Fulton....
App't'd
JIarch 9, 1835
J. S. Conway....
1836
September 13, 1836
4 yrs.
Dem.
1,102M
7,716
Archibald Tell.
184t
November 4, 1840
4 yrs.
Dem.
Samuel Adams.
Acting
Apr. 29 to Nov. 9, 18+1
T.S.Drew
184J
November o, 1844
5 yrs.
Dem.
1,731 P
17,387
J. WUliamson..
Acting
Apr. 9 to May 7, 1846
E. C. Byid
Acting
Jan.ll to .\pr. 19,1849
J. S.Roane
184£
April 19, 1849»
Dem.
163
6,809
R. C.Byrd
Acting
1849
J. R. Hampton
Acting
1851
E. N. Conway..
1852
November 15, IHn'Z
4 yrs.
Dem.
3,027
27,8.'i7
E. N. Conway..
1854
November 17, 1856
4 vrs.
Dem.
12,363
42,881
H. M. Rector....
1S6C
November 1.1,1860
2 yrs.
I. D.
2,461
61.198
T. Fletcher
Acting
Nov. 4 to Nov. 15, 1863
Con.
(no re
cord)
H. Flannagin ..
18W
November 15,1862
3 yrs.
Con.
10,012
26,266
I. Murphy
1864
April 18, 1864
Fed.
(no re
cord)
P. Clayton
18G8
July 2, 1868
4 yrs.
Rep.
(no re
cord)
0. A.Hadley...
Acting
January 17, 18/1
2 yrs.
Rep.
(no re
cord)
E. Baxter
ISTl
January 6, 1873
2 yrs.
Rep.
2,948
80,721
A. H. Garland.
1874
November 13, 1874
2 yrs.
Dem.
76,453
W. R. Miller....
1876
January 11,1877
2 yrs.
Dem.
32,215
108,633
W.R. Miller....
1878
January 17, 1879
2 yrs.
Dem.
88,730
T. J. Churchill
1H80
.lauuary 13,1881
a yrs.
Dem
52,761
115,619
J. H. Berry
B. T. Embry...
1882
January 1.3,1883
2 vrs.
Dem.
28,481
147,169
Acting
Sep, 25 to Sep. 30,1883
S. P. Hughes...
1884
January 17, 1885
2 yrs.
45,236
156,310
J. W. Stayton..
Acting
S. P. Hughes...
1886
3 yrs.
Dem.
17,411
163,889
D. E. Barker...
Acting
J. P. Eagle
1888
2 yrs.
Dem.
15,U06
187,397
' Special election.
The secretaries of Arkansas Territory have been :
Robert Crittenden, apjiointed March 3, 1819;
William Fulton, appointed April 8, 1829; Lewis
Randolph, appointed February 23, 1835.
Secretaries of State: Robert A. Watkins,
September 10, 1836, to November 12, 1840; D.
B. Greer, November 12, 1840, to May 9, 1842;
John Winfrey, acting. May 9, to August 9, 1842;
D. B. Greer, August 19, 1840, to September 3,
1859 (died); Alexander Boileau, Septembers, 1829,
to January 21, 1860; S. M. Weaver, January 21,
1860, to March 20, 1860; John I. Stirman, March
24, 1860, to November 13, 1862; O. H. Gates,
November 13, 1862, to April 18, 1864; Robert J.
T. White, Provisional, from January 24, to January
6, 1873; J. M. Johnson, January 6, 1873, to No-
vember 12, 1874; B. B. Beavers, November 12,
1874, to January 17, 1879; Jacob Frolich, January
17, 1879, to January, 1885; E. B. Moore, January,
1885, to January, 1889; B. B. Chism (present in-
cumbent).
Territorial auditors of Arkansas: George W.
Scott, August 5, 1819, to November 20, 1829;
Richard C. Byrd, November 20, 1829, to Novem-
ber 5, 1831; Emzy Wilson, November 5, 1831, to
November 12, 1833; William Pelham, November
12, 1833, to July 25, 1835; Elias N. Conway,
July 25, 1835, to October 1, 1836.
Auditors of State: Elias N. Conway, October
I, 1836, to May 17, 1841; A. Boileau," May 17,
1841, to July 5, 1841 (acting); Elias N. Conway,
July 5, 1841, to January 3, 1849; C. C. Dauley,
January 3, 1849, to September 16, 1854 (resigned);
W. R. Miller, September 16, 1854, to January 23,
1855; A. S. Huey, January 23, 1855, to January
23, 1857; W. R. Miller, January 23, 1857, to March
5, 1860; H. C. Lowe, March 5, 1860, to January 24,
1861 (acting); W. R. Miller, January 24, 1861, to
April IS, 1864; J. R. Berry, April 18, 1864, to Oc-
tober 15, 1866; StejDhen Wheeler, January 6, 1873,
to November 12, 1874; W. R. Miller, October 15,
1866, to July 2, 1868; John Crawford, January
II, 1877, to January 17. 1883; A. W. Files. Jan-
uary, 1883, to January, 1887; William B. Miller
(died in office), January, 1887, to November, 1887;
W. S. Dunlop, appointed November 30, 1887, to
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
43
January, 1889; W. S. Dunlop, January, 1889
(present incumbent).
Territorial treasurers: James Scull, August 15,
1819, to November 12, 1833; S. M. Rutherford,
November 12, 1833, to October 1, 1886.
State treasurers: W. E. Woodruff, October 1,
1836, to November 20, 1838; John Hutt, November
20, 1838, to February 2, 1843; John C. Martin,
February 2, 1843, to January 4, 1845; Samuel
Adams, January 4, 1845, to January 2, 1849; Will-
iam Adams, January 2, 1849, to January 10, 1849;
John H. Crease, January 10, 1 849, to January 26,
1855; A. H. Rutherford, January 27, 1855, to Feb-
ruary 2, 1857; J. H. Crease, February 2, 1857, to
February 2, 1859; John Quindley, February 2, 1859,
to December 13, 1860 (died); Jared C. Martin,
December 13, 1860, to February 2, 1861 ; Oliver
Basham, February 2, 1861, to April 18, 1864; E.
D. Ayers, April 18, 1864, to October 15, 1866; L.
B. Cimningham, October 15, 1866, to August 19,
1867 (removed by military); Henry Page, August
19, 1867 (military appointment), elected 1868 to
1874 (resigned); R. C. Newton, May 23, 1874, to
November 12, 1874; T. J. Churchill, November
12, 1874, to January 12, 1881; W. E. Woodruff,
Jr., January 12, 1881, to January, 1891.
Attorneys-general: Robert W. Johnson, 1843;
George C. Watkins, October 1, 1848; J. J. Critten-
den, February 7, 1851; Thomas Johnson, Septem-
ber 8, 1856; J. L. Hollowell, September 8, 1858;
P. Jordon, September 7, 1861 ; Sam W. Williams,
1862; C. T. Jordan, 1864; R. S. Gantt, January
31, 1865; R. H. Deadman, October 15, 1866; J. R.
Montgomery, July 21, 1868; T. D. W. Yonley, Jan-
uary 8, 1873; J. L. Witherspoon, May 22, 1874;
Simon P. Hughes, November 12, 1873, to 1876; W.
F. Henderson, January 11, 1877, to 1881; C. B.
Moore, January 12, 1881, to 1885; D. W. Jones,
January, 1885, to 1889; W. E. Atkinson, January,
1889 (present incumbent).
Commissioners of immigration and of State
lauds: J. M. Lewis, July 2, 1868; W. H. Grey,
October 15, 1872; J. N. Smithee, June 5, 1874."
These officers were succeeded by the commis-
sioner of State lands, the first to occupy this position
being J. N. Smithee, from November 12, 1874, to
November 18, 1878; D. W. Lear, October 21, 1878,
to November, 1882; W. P. Campbell, October 30,
1882, to March, 1884; P. M. Cobbs, March 31,
1884, to October 30, 1890.
Superintendents of public instruction: Thomas
Smith, 1868 to 1873; J. C. Corbin, July 6, 1873;
G. W. Hill, December 18, 1875, to October, 1878;
J. L. Denton, October 13, 1875, to October 11,
1882; Dunbar H. Pope, October 11 to 30, 1882;
W. E. Thompson. October 20, 1882, to 1890.
Of the present State officers and members of
boards, the executive department is first worthy of
attention. This is as follows:
Governor, J. P. Eagle; secretary of State, B.
B. Chism; treasurer, William E. Woodruff, Jr.;
attorney-general, W. E. Atkinson; commissioner
of State lands, Paul M. Cobbs; superintendent
public instruction, W. E. Thompson; State geolo-
gist, John C. Brauner.
Board of election canvassers : Gov J. P. Eagle,
Sec. B. B. Chism.
Board of commissioners of the common school
fund: Gov. J. P. Eagle, Sec. B. B. Chism, Supt.
W. E. Thompson.
State debt board: Gov. J. P. Eagle; Aud. W.
S. Dunlop, and Sec. B. B. Chism.
Penitentiary board — commissioners : The Gov-
ernor; the attorney-general, W. E. Atkinson, and
the secretary of State.
Lessee of penitentiary: The Arkansas Indus-
trial Company.
Printing board: The Governor, president; W.
S. Dunlop, auditor, and W. E. Woodruff, Jr.,
treasurer.
Board of railroad commissioners (to assess and
equalize the railroad property and valuation within
the State) : The Governor, secretary of State and
State auditor.
Board of Trustees of Arkansas Medical College:
J. A. Dibrell, M. D., William Thompson, M. D.,
William Lawrence, M. D.
The Arkansas State University, at Fayetteville,
has as its board of trustees: W. M. Fishback, Fort
Smith; James Mitchell, Little Rock; W. B.
Welch, Fayetteville; C. M. Taylor, South Bend;
B. F. Avery, Camden; J. W. Kessee, Latour; Gov.
44
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Eagle, ex-officio: E. H. Miirfree, president, A. I.
U. ; J. L. Cravens, secretary.
Of the Pine Bluff Normal, the president is J.
Corbin, Pine Bluff; the board is the same as that
of the State University.
Board of dental surgery: Dr. L. Augspath,
Dr. H. C. Howard, Dr. M. C. Marshall, Dr. L. G.
Roberts, and Dr. N. N. Hayes.
State board of health: Drs. A. L. Brey-
sacher, J. A. Dibrell, P. Van Patten, Lorenzo R.
Gibson, W. A. Cantrell, V. Brunson.
Board of municipal corporations: Ex-offlcio —
The Governor, secretary of State and State auditor.
Board of education: The Governor, secretary
of State and auditor.
Board of review for donation contests: The
Governor, auditor of State and attorney-general.
Board of examiners of State script: The Gov-
ernor, secretary of State and auditor.
Reference to the presidential vote of Arkansas,
fi-om the year 1836 uj) to and including the elec-
tion of 1888, will serve to show in a general way
the political complexion of the State during that
period. The elections have resulted as follows:*
1836— Van Buren (D), 2,400; Harrison (W),
1,162; total 3,638.
1840— Harrison (W), 5,160; Van Buren (D),
6,049; Birney (A), 889; total 11,209.
1844- Polk (D), 8,546; Clay (W), 5,504;
total 15,050.
1848— Taylor (W), 7,588; Cass (D), 9,300;
total 16,888^
* Scattering votes not given.
1852— Pierce (D), 12,170; Scott, 7,404;
total 19,577.
1856— Buchanan (D), 21,910; Fillmore, 10.787;
total 32,697.
1860— Douglas (D), 5,227; Breckenridge,
28,532; Bell, 20,297.
1864— No vote.
1868— Grant (R), 22,112; Seymour, 19,078;
total 41,190.
1872— Grant (R), 41,377; Greeley, 37,927;
total 79,300.
1876— Tilden (D), 58,360; Hayes (R), 38,669;
total 97,029.
1880— Garfield (R), 42,435; Hancock (D),
60,475; total, 107,290.
1884— Cleveland (D), 72,927; Blaine, 50,895;
total, 125,669.
1888— Harrison (R), 58,752; Cleveland (D),
88,962; Fisk, 593; total, 155,968.
In accepting the vote of Arkansas, 1876, objec-
tion was made to counting it, as follows: " First,
because the official returns of the election in said
State, made according to the laws of said State,
show that the persons certified to the secretary
of said State as elected, were not elected as
electors for President of the United States at
the election held November 5, 1876; and, sec-
ond, because the returns as read by the tellers
are not certified according to law. The objec-
tion was sustained by the Senate but not sus-
tained by the House of Representatives. ' '
^^^
-^1
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
45
imifTEit
-^?<^
Advancement of the State— Misconceptions Removed— Effects of Slavery upon Agriculture-
Extraordinary IMPROVEMENT SINCE THE WAR — IMPORTANT SUGGESTIONS— COMPARATIVE
Estimate of Products— Growth of the Manufacturing Interests-
Wonderful Showing of Arkansas — Its Desirability as a
Place of Residence— State Elevations.
Look forward what's to come, and back what's past;
Thy life will be with praise and prudence graced;
What loss or gain may follow thou may'st guess,
Then wilt thou be secure of the success. — DenJiam.
£C>.a.
^^7^^ ijw^^^VjAJP EFORE entering directly up-
iy<«i»?^^9'lr/ on the subject of the mate-
rial life and growth of Arkan-
sas, it is necessary to clear
away at the threshold some
of the obstructions that have
hiin in its pathway. From
the earliest settlement slav-
ery existed, and the nergo
slave was brought with the
first agricultural communities. Slave
labor was profitable in but two things
— cotton and sugar. Arkansas was
north of the sugar cane belt, but was a
splendid field for cotton growing. Slave
labor and white labor upon the farms
were never congenial associates. These
things fixed rigidly the one road in the
agricultural progress of the State.
What was therefore the very richness
of heaven's bounties, became an incubus upon the
general welfare. The fertile soil returned a rich
reward even with the slovenly applied energies of
the slaves. A man could pay perhaps $1,000 for
a slave, and in the cotton field, but really nowhere
else, the investment would yield an enormous profit.
The loss in waste, or ill directed labor, in work
carelessly done, or the want of preparation, tools
or machinery, or any manner of real thrift, gave
little or no concern to the average agriculturist.
For personal comfort and large returns upon invest-
ments that required little or no personal attention,
no section of the world ever surpassed the United
States south of the 3G° of north latitude. Wealth
of individuals was rated therefore by the number
of slaves one possessed. Twenty hands in the cot-
ton field, under even an indifferent overseer, with
no watchful care of the master, none of that saving
frugality in the farming so imperative elsewhere
upon farms, returned every year an income which
would enable the family to spend their lives trav-
eling and sight- seeing over the world. The rich
soil required no care in its tilling from the owner.
It is the first and strongest principle in human na-
ture to seek its desires through the least exertion.
To raise cotton, ship to market and dispose of it,
purchasing whatever was wanted, was the inevi-
table result of such conditions. This was by far the
easiest mode, and hence manufactures, diversity of
farming or farming pursuits, were not an impera-
tive necessity — indeed, they were not felt to be ne-
cessities at all. The evil, the blight of slavery
46
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
upon the whites, was well understood by the intel-
ligence of the South, by even those who had learned
to believe that white labor could not and never
would be profitable in this latitude; that — most
strange! the white man who labored at manual
labor, must be in the severe climate and upon the
stubborn New England soil. It was simply efPect
following cause which made these people send off
their childi'en to school, and to buy their every want,
both necessaries and luxuries — importing hay, corn,
oats, bacon, mules, horses and cattle even from
Northern States, when every possible natural ad-
vantage might be had in producing the same things
at ho-ne. It was the easiest and cheapest way to do.
In the matter of dollars and cents, the destroying
of slavery was, to the farmers of the Upper Missis-
sippi Valley, a permanent loss. Now the New South
is beginning to send the products of its farms and
gardens even to Illinois. The war, the abolition
of slavery, the return of the Confederates to their
desolated homes, and their invincible courage in
rolling up their sleeves and going to work, and the
results of their labors seen all over the South, form
one of the grandest displays of the development of
the latent forces of the great American people
that can be found in history.
There is not a thing, not even ice, but that, in
the new social order of Arkansas, it can produce
for its own use quite as well as the most favored
of Northern States. The one obstruction in the
way of the completed triumph of the State is the
lingering idea among farmers that for the work of
raising cotton, black labor is better than white.
This fallacy is a companion of the old notion that
slavery was necessary to the South. Under proper
auspices these two articles of Arkansas — cotton
and lumber — alone may make of it the most pros-
perous State in the Union ; and the magician's
wand to transform all this to gold is in securing the
intelligent laborer of the North, far more than the
Northern capital prayed for by so many. The North
has its homeless millions, and the recent lessons
in the opening of Oklahoma should be promptly
appreciated by the people of this State. For the
next decade to manufacture every pound of cotton
raised in the State, as well as husbanding and man-
ufacturing all the lumber from these grand old for-
ests, is to solve the questions in the race of State
prosperity and general wealth among the people.
When free labor supplanted slave labor what a won-
derful advance it gave the whole section; when in-
telligent skilled labor supplants ignorance and un-
skilled labor, what a transcendent golden epoch
will dawn. There is plenty of capital to-day in the
State, if it was only put in proper co-operative
form, to promote the establishment of manu-
factories that would liberally reward the stock-
holders, and make them and Arkansas the richest
people in the world. Such will attract hundreds of
thousands of intelligent and capable wage workers
from the North, from all over the world, as well as
the nimble-witted farm labor in the gardens, the
orchards, the fields and the cotton plantations. This
will bring and add to the present profits on a bale
of cotton, the far richer dividend on stocks in fac-
tories, banks, railroads and all that golden stream
which is so much of modern increase in wealth.
The people of Arkansas may just as well have this
incalculable abundance as to not have it, and at the
same time j)ay enormous premiums to others to come
and reap the golden harvests. Competent labor-
ers — skilled wage workers, the brawn and brain
of the land — are telling of their unrest in strikes,
lockouts, combinations and counter combinations;
in short, in the conflict of labor and capital, they
are appealing strongly to be allowed to come to
Ai'kansas — not to enter the race against ignorant,
incapable labor, but simply to find employment and
homes, where in comfort and plenty they can rear
their families, and while enriching themselves to
return profits a thousand fold. Don't fret and
mope away your lives looking and longing for capi-
tal to enter and develop your boundless resources.
Capital is a royal good thing, but remember it is
even a better thing in your own pockets than in
some other person's. Open the way for proper,
useful labor to come and find employment ; each
department, no matter how small or humble the
beginning, once started will grow rapidly, and the
problem will have been solved. Only by the North
taking the raw product of the South and putting it
in the hands of skilled labor has their enormous
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
47
capital been secured. The profits on high priced
labor will always far excel that on ignorant or cheap
workmen. The time is now when this kind of
labor and the small farmers and gardeners are
awaiting a bidding to enter Arkansas. When the
forlorn hope returned from the late war, they met
the Btern necessity, and demonstrated the fact that
here, at least, the people can create their own capi-
tal. Let them now anticipate the future by this
heroic triumph of the past. The Gods help those
only who help themselves.
"The fault, dear Brulus, is not in our stars,
but in ourselves."
To the Northern home- seeker the thing of first
importance is to tell of the temperate climate at all
seasons, and its extraordinary healthfulness, cur-
ing him of the false idea spread so wide that the
topography of the State is seen from the decks
of steamers, or on the lines of railroad which are
built along the swamps and slashes, mostly on ac-
count of the easy grades on these lines. Then show
from the records the low rate of taxation and the
provisions of the law by which high taxation is for-
ever prevented. From this preliminary may be
unfolded to him some of the wonderful natural re-
sources which are awaiting development. Here
both tongue and pen will fall far short of telling all
or nearly all. In climate, health, soil, timber,
minerals, coal, rocks, clays, marls, sand, navigable
streams, mineral and fresh waters, Arkansas may
challenge any similar sized spot on the globe. It
has more miles of navigable streams than any other
State in the Union, and these are so placed as to
give the whole territory the advantages thereof, as
though the engineers had located them. It has
unequaled water power — the Mammoth Spring
alone furnishing enough water power to propel all
the machinery west of the Mississippi River. The
topography of the State is one of its most inviting
features. Its variety in this respect is only equaled
by the diversity of its soils. The traveler who in
approaching this section concludes that it consists
chiefly of swamp bottoms, and water-covered
slashes, may readily learn from the records that
three-quarters of the State's surface is uplands,
ranging from the gentle swells of prairie and
woodland to the grandly beautifirl mountain scen-
ery; and on the mountain benches, and at the base,
are as rich and beautiful valleys as are kissed by the
rays of the sun in his season' s round. Take the
whole range of agricultural products of Ohio, Ind-
iana, Illinois and Kansas, and all can be produced
quite as well in Arkansas as in any of these States.
In the face of this fact, for more than a genera-
tion Arkansas raised scarcely any of the products
of these Northern communities, but imported such
as it had to have. It could not spare its lands from
the cultivation of the more profitable crof)s of
cotton. In a word, the truth is the State was bur-
dened with natural wealth — this and slave labor
having clogged the way and impeded its progress.
With less labor, more cotton per acre and per hand,
on an average, has been produced in Arkansas than
in any other Southern State, and its quality has been
such as to win the prize wherever it has been en-
tered in competition. Its reputation as a fruit-
growing State is not excelled. In the New Orleans
Exposition, in California, Ohio and everywhere en-
tered, it has taken the premium over all competi-
tors. Its annual rainfall exceeds that of any South-
ern State, and it cannot, therefore, suffer seriously
from drouths. There is not a spot upon the globe
which, if isolated from all outside of its limits,
could sustain in health and all the civilized comforts
a population as large as might Arkansas. Fifty
thousand people annually come hither and are
cured, and yet a general nebulous idea prevails
among many in the North that the health and cli-
mate of the State are not good. The statistics of
the United States Medical Department show the
mortality rate at Little Rock to be less than at any
other occupied military post in the country. There
is malaria in portions of the State, but considering
the vast bottom stretches of timber-land, and the
newness of the country's settlement, it is a remark-
able fact that there is less of this disease here
than in Pennsylvania; while all the severer diseases
of the New England and Northern States, such as
rheumatism, consumption, catarrh and blood poi-
son, are always relieved and generally cured in
Ai'kansas; malignant scarlet fever and diphtheria
have never yet appeared. That dreadful decimator,
48
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
yellow fever, has only visited the eastern portion of
the State, but in every case it was brought from
abroad, and has never prevailed in this locality as an
epidemic. Therefore, the largest factories, schools
and universities in the world should be here. The
densest population, the busiest haunts of men, will
inevitably come where their rewards will be great-
est — the struggle for life less severe. Five hun-
dred inhabitants to the square mile will not put to
the full test the limitless resources of this wonder-
ful commonwealth. Ten months of summer with-
out one torrid day, with invariable cool and re-
freshing nights, and two months only of winter,
where a man can work out of doors every day in
the year in comfort, with less cost in physician's
bills, expense in food, clothing and housing, are
some of the inducements the State offers to the
poor man. There are millions of acres of fertile
lands that are offered almost without money and
without price; land nearly any acre of which is
worth more intrinsically than any other similar
sized body of land in the world. There are
5,000,000 acres of government lands in the State,
and 2,000,000 acres of State lands. The rainfall in
1886 was 46. 33; average mean temperature, 58.7°;
highest, 97.8°; lowest, above zero, 7.6°. Of the
33,500,000 acres in the State there are soils richer
and deeper than the Nile; others that excel the
alluvial corn belt of the Northern States; others
that may successfully compete with the noted Cuba
or James River, Virginia, tobacco red soil districts,
or the most noted vineyards of France or Italy.
Here is the land of wine and silk, where side by side
will grow the corn and the iig — the land overhung
with the soft, blue skies, and decked with flowers,
the air laden with the rich j^erfumes of the magno-
lias, on the topmost pinnacle of whose branches the
Southern mocking-bird by day and by night swells
its throat with song —
" Where all, save the spirit of man, is divine."
The artificial and local causes which have ob-
structed the State's prosperity are now forever
gone. There is yet the unsolved problem of the
political negro, but this is in Illinois, Kansas and
Ohio, exactly as it is in Arkansas. It is only the
common problem to the Anglo-Saxon of the United
States, which, in the future as in the past, after
many mistakes and even great wrongs, he will for-
ever settle and for the best. Throw politics to the
winds; only remember to profit by the mistakes of
the North in inviting immigration, and thereby
avoid the ominous presence of anarchism, socialism,
and those conditions of social life latent in ' ' the
conflict of labor and capital. ' ' These are some of
the portentous problems now confronting the older
States that are absent from Arkansas; they should
be kept away, by the knowledge that such ugly
conditions are the fanged whelps of the great
brood of American demagogues — overdoses of
politics, washed down by too much universal vot-
ing. It is of infinitely more importance to guard
tax-receipts than the ballot boxes. When vice and
ignorance vote their own destruction, there need be
no one to compassionate their miseries, but always
where taxes run high, people's liberties run low.
The best government governs the least — the freest
government taxes the least.
Offer premiums to the immigration of well-
informed, expert labor, and small farmers, dairy-
men, gardeners and horticulturists and small trad-
ers. Let the 7,000,000 acres of government and
State lands be given in forty-acre tracts to the
heads of families, who will come and occupy them.
Instead of millions of dollars in donations to great
corporations and capitalists, give to that class which
will create capital, develop the State, and enrich
all the people. Railroads and capitalists will fol-
low these as water runs down the hill. Arkansas
needs railroads — ten thousand miles yet — it needs
great factories, great cities, universities of learn-
ing and, forsooth, millionaires. But its first and
greatest needs are small farmers, practical toil-
ers, skilled mechanics, and scattered all over the
State beginnings in each of the various manufac-
tures; the beginnings, in short, of that auspicious
hour when it ceases to ship any of its raw mate-
rials. It is a law of life, that, in a society where
there are few millionaires, there are few pauj^ers.
Where the capital of a country is gathered in vast
aggregations in the possession of a few, there the
children cry for bread — the poor constantly in-
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
49
crease, wages fall, employment too often fails, and
the hoarse mutterings of parading mobs and bread
riots take the places of the laughter and the songs
of the laborers to and from the shops and the
fields.
The following from the government official re-
ports of the growth and value of the manufactures
of the State is to be understood as reaching only
to 18S0, when it had but commenced to emerge
from the old into the new life:
i
m
jj
•1
rs
Year.
■3
fl
13
«
s
o
t^
O
3
M
>
>
261
S 305,045
812
30
$150,876
8 215.789
$ 537,908
1,316,610
1,782,913
2,953,130
2,880,.'i78
4,629,234
6,756,159
1,070
1,202
3,077
4,307
•17
«•>
673,963
1880
90
160
925,358
4,392,080
Ideas of values are most easily reached by com-
parisons. The following figures, taken from offi-
cial government reports, explain themselves :
Nebraska..
Iowa
Kansas
Minnesota
S 74,249,655
105.932,541
507,430,227
235,178,631
193,724,260
Machinery Live Stock. Product
S 4,637,49"
7,820,915
29,371,884
9,734,684
13,089,783
S 20,472,425
3.3,440,265
124,715,103
60,907,149
31,904,821
$43,796,261
31,708,914
36,103,073
52,240,561
49,468,967
The products are the profits on the capital in-
vested. Words can add nothing to these figures
in demonstrating the superiority of Arkansas as
an agricultural State, except the explanation that
Southern farming is yet more or less carried on
under the baneful influences of the days of slavery,
unintentional indifference and the absence of
watchful attention by the firoprietor.
Cotton grows finely in all parts of this com-
monwealth and heretofore in two-thirds of its terri-
tory it has been the main crop. In the fertile
bottoms the product per acre has reached as high
as 2,000 pounds of seed cotton, while on the
uplands it runs from 600 to 1,000 pounds'. The
census of 1880 shows that Arkansas produces more
cotton per acre, and at less expense, than any of
the so-called cotton States. In 1880 the yield
was 608, 256 bales, grown on 1,042,970 acres. That
year Georgia raised 814,441 bales, on 2,617,138
acres. The estimated cost per acre of raising cot-
ton is $6. It will thus be seen that it cost
$9,444,972 in Georgia to raise 256,185 more bales
of cotton than Arkansas had grown — much more
than double the land to produce less than one-
fourth more cotton. Less than one-twentieth of
the cotton land of the latter State has been brought
under cultivation.
The sujaeriority of cotton here is attested by
the fact that the greatest cotton thread manufact-
urers in the world prefer the Arkansas cotton to
any other in the market. The product has for
years carried off the first prizes over the world's
competition.
The extra census bulletin, 1880, gives the yield
of corn, oats and wheat products in Arkansas for
that year as follows: Corn, 24,156,517 bushels;
oats, 2,219,824 bushels; wheat, 1,269,730 bushels.
Remembering that this is considered almost ex-
clusively a cotton State, these figures of the cereals
will be a genuine surprise. More wheat is grown
by 40, 000 bushels and nearly three times as much
corn as were raised in all New England, according
to the official figures for that year.
From the United States agricultural reports are
obtained these interesting statistics concerning the
money value of farm crops per acre:
Corn.
Rye.
Oats.
Potatoes.
Hay.
Illinois
$ 6 77
8 86
11 52
6 44
7 52
7 91
11 51
$ 6 64
7 30
9 08
5 98
5 16
7 32
9 51
$ 6 46
5 92
7 90
6 12
5 34
5 78
11 07
130 32
30 08
1 7 66
7 66
Ohio
34 48
9 85
37 40
43 50
28 08
78 65
5 89
17 :30
14 95
Arkansas
22 94
The following is the average cash value per
acre on all crops taken together:
..$13 51
New Hampshire..
. . 13 56
. . 11 60
Massachusetts —
. . 26 71
Rhode Island
. . 29 33
Connecticut
. . 16 83
New York
. 14 15
New Jersey
. . 18 05
Pennsylvania . . . .
. . 17 68
Delaware
. . 15 80
Maryland
. . 17 83
Viririnia
. . 10 91
North Carolina $10
.South Carolina 10
Georscia 10
Florida 8
Alaliama 1:3
Mississippi 14
Louisiana 22
Arkansas 20
Tennessee 12
West Virginia 12
Kentucky 13
Ohio 15
50
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Micbigan $18 96
Indiana 14 66
Illinois 12 47
Wisconsin 13 80
Minnesota 10 29
Iowa 8 88
Missouri 10 78
Kansas $ 9 11
Nebraska 8 60
California 17 18
Oregon ; 17 11
Nevada, Colorado and
the Territories 16 13
Texas 14 69
The advance of horticulture in the past decade
in the State has been extraordinary. Twenty years
ago its orchard products amounted to very little.
By the census reports of 1880, the total yield of
fruit was $867,426. This was $100,000 more than
the yield of Florida, with all the latter' s immense
orange groves. As universally as has the State
been misunderstood, it is probably in reference
to its fruits and berries that the greatest errors
have long existed. If one visits the apple and
peach regions of the North, it is found to be the gen-
eral belief that Arkansas is too far south to pro-
duce either, whereas the truth is that, especially
in apples, it has no equal either in the United
States or in the world. This fact was first brought
to piiblic attention at the World's Fair, at New
Orleans, 1884-85, where the Arkansas exhibit was
by far the finest ever made, and the State was
awarded the first premium, receiving the World's
medal and a special notice by the awarding com-
mittee. Thus encouraged, the State was repre-
sented at the meeting of the American Pomological
Society, in Boston, in September, 1887. Sixty-
eight varieties of Arkansas seedling apples were in
the exhibit, to contend with all the champion fruit
growers of the globe. The State won the Wilder
medal, which is only given by reason of extraor-
dinary merit, and in addition to this was awarded
the first premium for the largest and best collection
of apples, consisting of 1 '28 varieties.
The collection which won the Boston prizes was
then shipped to Little Rock, and after being on
exhibition there twenty days, was re-packed and
shipped to the National Horticiiltural meeting in
California, which met at Riverside, February 7,
1888. Arkansas again won the first prize, invad-
ing the very home of Pomona, and bearing off the
first honors as it had in eastern and northern sec-
tions of the Union. The "Arkansas Shannon"
is pronounced by competent judges to be the finest
apple now grown anywhere.
Strawberries are another late discovery of the
resources of Arkansas. The yield and quality are
very superior. So rapidly has the industry grown
that, during the fruit season, the Iron Mountain
road runs a special daily fruit train, leaving Little
Rock late in the afternoon and reaching St. Louis
early the next morning. This luscious product, of
remarkable size, ripens about the first of April.
Of all cultivated fruit the grape has held its
place in poetry and song, in sacred and profane
history, as the first. It finds in Arkansas the same
conditions and climate of its native countries,
between Persia and India. The fruit and its wine
j)roduced here are said by native and foreign
experts to equal, if not surpass, the most famous of
Italy or France. The vines are always healthy
and the fruit perfect. The wild muscadine and
scuppernong grow vines measuring thirty- eight
and one-half inches around, many varieties fruit-
ing here to perfection that are not on the open air
lists at all further north.
The nativity of the peach is the same as that
of the grape, and it, too, therefore, takes as kindly
to the soil here as does the vine. Such a thing as
biidded peach trees are of very recent date, and as
a consequence the surprises of the orchardists in re-
spect to this fruit are many. Some of the varieties
ripen in May, and so far every kind of budded
peaches brought from the North, both the tree and
the fruit, have improved by the transplanting.
The vigor of the trees seems to baffle the borers,
and no curled leaves have yet been noticed. In
quality and quantity the product is most encourag-
ing, and the next few years will see a marked
advance in this industry.
For fifty years after the settlement of the State
peach seedlings were grown, and from these, as in
the case of the apple, new and stiperior varieties
have been started, noted for size, flavor, abundance
and never failing crops.
The Chickasaw plum is so far the most suc-
cessfully grown, and is the best. It is a perfected
fruit easily cultivated, and is free from the curculio,
while the trees are healthy and vigorous beyond
other localities.
In vegetables and fruits, except the tropical
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
plants, Arkansas is the banner State. In the fruit
and vegetable kingdom there is found in luxuriant
growth everything in the long list from corn to the
The yield and quality of Arkansas tobacco is
remarkable when it is remembered that this indus-
try has received so little attention. Thirty years
ago State Geologist Owen informed the people
that he found here the same, if not better, tobacco
soil, than the most favored districts of Cuba. The
yield of tobacco, in 1880, was 970,230 pounds.
Yet so little attention or experiment has been given
the subject that an experimental knowledge of the
State's resources in this respect cannot be claimed
to have been gained.
In 1880 the State produced: Barley, 1,952
bushels; buckwheat, 548 bushels; rye, 22,387
bushels; hay, 23,295 tons; Irish potatoes, 492,627
bushels; sweet potatoes, 881,260 bushels.
From the census reports of the same year are
gleaned the following: Horses, total, 146,333;
mules and asses, 87,082; working oxen, 25,444;
milch cows, 249,407; other cattle, 433,392; sheep,
246,757; swine, 1,565,098; wool, 557,368 pounds;
milk, 316,858 gallons; butter, 7,790,013 pounds;
cheese, 26,310 pounds. All parts of the State are
finely adapted to stock-raising. The excellence
and abundance of pure water, the heavy growth of
blue grass, the cane brakes and abundant mast,
sustain the animals during most of the winter
in marketable condition. In respect to all domes-
tic animals hei-e are presented the same conditions
as in nearly every line of agriculture— cheapness
of growth and excellence of quality.
The improvement in cattle has been retarded
by the now conceded fact that the "Texas fever"
is asserted by some to be seated in the State.
This affects Northern cattle when imported, while
it has no effect on native animals. Except for this
unfortunate reality there would be but little time
lost in developing here the great dairy industry of
the country. But good graded cattle are now
being raised in every portion, and so rich is the
locality in this regard that in stock, as in its fruits,
care and attention will produce new varieties of
unrivaled excellence. Arkansas is the natural home
and breeding ground of animals, all growing to
great perfection, with less care and the least cost.
Taxes here are not high. The total taxation in
Illinois in 1880, assessed on real and personal
property, as per census reports, for State, county
and all civil divisions less than counties, was
$24,586,018; the same year in Arkansas the total
tax was $1,839,090. Farm lands are decreasing
in value in Illinois nearly as fast as they are in
creasing in Arkansas. The total taxation in the
United States in 1880 was the enormous sum of
$312,750,721. Northern cities are growing, vyhile
their rural population is lessening. The reverse
of this is the best for a State. The source of ruin
to past nations and civilizations has all arisen
from an abuse of the taxing powers. Excessive
taxation can only end in general ruin. This
simple but great lesson should be instilled into the
minds of all youths, crystallized into the briefest
maxim, and written over every threshold in the
land; hung in the porches of every institution of
learning ; imprinted upon every plow handle and
emblazoned on the trees and jutting rocks. The
State that has taxed its people to build a $25, -
000,000 State house, has given deep shame to the
intelligence of this age. Taxes are the insidious
destroyer of nations and all liberty, and it is only
those freemen who jealously guard against this
evil who will for any length of time maintain their
independence, equality or manhood.
The grade profile of the Memphis Route shows
the elevations of the various cities and towns
along that line to be as follows in feet, the datum
plane being tide water of the Gulf of Mexico
Kansas City, 765; Rosedale, 825; Merriam, 900
Lenexa, 1,040; Olathe, 1,060; Bonita, 1,125
Ocheltree, 1,080; Spring Hill, 1,020; Hillsdale:
900; Paola, 860; Pendleton, 855; Fontana, 925
La Cygne, 840; Barnard, 810; Pleasanton, 865
Miami, 910; Prescott, 880; Fulton, 820; Ham-
mond, 875; Fort Scott, 860; Clarksburg, 885;
Garland, 865; all in Kansas; Arcadia, 820;
Liberal, 875; lantha, 990; Lamar, 1,000; Keno-
ma, 980; Golden City, 1,025; Lockwood, 1,065;
South Greenfield, 1,040; Everton, 1,000; Ash
Grove, 1,020; Boisd'Arc, 1,250; Campbells, 1,290;
=1V
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Nichols Junction, 1,280; Springfield, 1,300; Tur-
ner, 1,210; Rogersville, 1,475; Fordland, 1,600;
Seymour, 1,680; Cedar Gap, 1,685; Mansfield,
1,520; Norwood, 1,510; Mountain Grove, 1,525;
Cabool, 1,250; Sterling, 1,560; Willow Springs,
1,400; Burnham, 1,360; Olden, 1,280; West
Plains, 950; Brandsville, 1,000; Koshkonong, 970;
Thayer, last point in Missouri, 575; Mammoth
Spring, Ark., 485; Afton, 410; Hardy, 370; Willi-
ford, 330; Ravenden, 310; Imboden, 300; Black
Rock, 290; Portia, 285; Hoxie, 295; Sedgwick,
270; Bonnerville, 320; Jonesboro, 275; Nettleton,
250; Big Bay Siding, 250; Hatchie Coon, 250;
Marked Tree, 250; Tyronza, 240; Gilmore, 225;
Clarketon, 240; Marion, 235; West Memphis, 200;
Memphis, 280.
Politics— Importance of the Subject— The Two Old Schools of Politicians— Triumph of the
■lACKSONiANS— Early Prominent State Politicians— The Great Question of Secession
—The State Votes to Join the Confederacy- Horror of the War Period—
The Reconstruction Distress— The Baxter-Brooks Embroglio.
In knots tUej' stand, or in a rank they walk.
Serious in aspect, earnest in their talk;
Factious, and favouring this or t'other side,
As their weak fancy or strong reason guide. — Dryden.
N one sense there is no
portion of the history of
Arkansas more instructive
than its political history,
because in this is the key
to the character of many
of its institutions, as well
as strong indications of the trend of
the public mind, and the characteris-
tics of those men who shaped public
affairs and controlled very largely in
the State councils.
Immediately upon the formation
of the Territorial government, the Presi-
dent of the United States sent to Ai--
kansas Post Gov. James Miller, Robert
Crittenden, secretary, and C. Jouett,
, Letcher and Andrew Scott, judges, to
the new Territorial government. Gov.
seems, gave little attention to his oiBce,
and therefore in all the early steps of formation
Crittenden was the acting governor; and from the
force of character he possessed, and his superior
strength of mind, it is fair to conclude that he
dominated almost at will the early public affairs
of Arkansas.
This was at the time of the beginning of the
political rivalry between Clay and Jackson, two of
the most remarkable types of great political lead-
ers this country has jJi'oduced — Henry Clay, the
superb; "Old Hickory," the man of iron; the one
as polished a gem as ever glittered in the political
heavens — the other the great diamond in the
rough, who was of the people, and who drew his
followers with bands of steel. These opposites
were destined to clash. It is well for the country
that they did.
Robert Crittenden was a brother of John J.
Crittenden, of Kentucky, and by some who knew
him long and well he was deemed not only his
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS
53
brother's peer, but ia many respects his intellect-
ual superior. It goes without the saying, he was a
born AVhig, who, in Kentucky's super-loyal fash-
ion, had Clay for his idol, and, to put it mildly,
Jackson to dislike.
President Monroe had appointed the first Terri-
torial officers, but the fact that Crittenden was
secretary is evidence that polities then were not
running very high. Monroe was succeeded in
1824 by John Quincy Adams. It would seem that
in the early days in Arkansas, the Whigs stood
upon the vantage grounds in many important
respects. By the time Adams was inaugurated
the war political to the death between Clay and
Jackson had begun. But no man looked more care-
fully after his own interests than Jackson. He
had large property possessions just across the line
in Tennessee, besides property in Arkansas. He
induced, from his ranks in his own State, some
young men of promise to come to Arkansas. The
prize now was whether this should be a Whig
or Democratic State. President Adams turned
out Democratic officials and put in Whigs, and
Robert Crittenden for a long time seemed to hold
the State in his hand. Jackson's superiority as a
leader over Clay is manifested in the struggles
between the two in Arkansas. Clay's followers
here were men after his fashion, as were Jackson's
men after his mold. Taking Robert Crittenden
as the best type, he was but little inferior to Clay
himself in his magnetic oratory and purity of prin-
ciples and public life; while Jackson sent here
the Seviers, Conways and Rectors, men of the
people, but of matchless resolution and personal
force of character. No two great commanders
ever had more faithful or able lieutenants than
were the respective champions of Old Hickory
and Harry of the West, in the formative days of
the State of Arkansas. The results were, like
those thoughout the Union, that Jackson triumphed
in the hard strife, and Arkansas entered the Union,
by virtue of a bill introduced by James Buchanan,
as a Jackson State, and has never wavered in its
political integrity.
As an evidence of the similarity of the con-
tests and respective leaders of the two parties
here to those throughout the country, it is only
necessary to point out that Crittenden drew to
his following such men as Albert Pike, a genius
of the loftiest and most versatile gifts the country
has so far produced, while Jackson, ever supplying
reinforcements to his captains, sent among others,
as secretary of the Territory, Lewis Randolph,
grandson of Thomas Jefferson, and whose wife
was pretty Betty Martin, of the White House, a
niece of Jackson's. Randolph settled in Hemp-
stead County when it was an unbroken wilder-
ness, and his remains are now resting there in an
unknown grave.
Clay, it seems, could dispatch but little addi-
tional force to his followers, even when he saw they
were the hardest pressed by the triumphant enemy.
There was not much by which one could draw
comparisons between Clay and Jackson — unless
it was their radical difFerence. As a great ora-
tor. Clay has never been excelled, and he lived in
a day when the open sesame to the world's de-
lights lay in the silver tongue; but Jackson was
a hero, a great one, who inspired other born
heroes to follow him even to the death.
Arkansas was thus started permanently along
the road of triumphant democracy, from which
it never would have varied, except for the war
times that brought to the whole country such con-
fusion and political chaos. Being a Jackson
State, dominated by the blood of the first governor
of Tennessee — Gen. John Sevier, a man little in-
ferior to Jackson himself — it was only the most
cruel circumstance that could force the State into
secession. When the convention met on the 4th
of March, 1861, " on the state of the Union." its
voice was practically unanimous for the Union,
and that body passed a series of as loyal resolu-
tions as were ever penned, then adjourning to
meet again in the May following. The conven-
tion met May 6, but the war was upon the coun-
try, and most of the Gulf States had seceded.
Every one knew that war was inevitable; it was
already going on, but very few realized its immen-
sity. The convention did not rush hastily into
secession. An ordinance of secession was intro-
duced, and for days, and into the nights, run-
54
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
ning into the small hours, the matter was delib-
erated upon — no preliminary test vote was forced
to an issue. Delegates were present in anxious
attendance from the Carolinas, Alabama and
Georgia. They knew that the fate of their action
largely depended upon the attitude of Arkansas.
If Arkansas voted no, then the whole secession
movement would receive a severe blow. The after-
noon before the final vote, which was to take place
in the evening, these commissioners from other
States had made up their minds that Arkansas
might possibly vote down secession. When the con-
vention adjourned for supper, they held a hurried
consultation, and freely expressed their anxiety
at the outlook. It was understood that the dis-
cussion was closed, and the night session was
wholly for the purpose of taking a vote. All was
uncertainty and intense excitement. Expressions
of deepest attachment to the Union and the old
flag were heard. The most fiery and vehement
of the secessionists in the body were cautious and
deliberative. There was but little even of vehe-
ment detestation of the abolitionists — a thing as
natural then for a Southern man to despise as
hatred is natural to a heated brain.
At a late hour in the evening, amid the most
solemn silence of the crowded hall, an informal
vote was taken. All except six members voted to
secede. A suppressed applause followed the
announcement of the vote. A hurried, whispered
conference went on, and the effort was made to
have the result unanimous. Now came the final
vote. When the name of Isaac Murphy, afterward
the military governor, was reached, it was passed
and the roll call continued. It was so far unani-
mous, with Mr. Murphy's name still to call. The
clerk called it. Mr. Murphy arose and in an
earnest and impressive manner in a few words ex-
plained the dilemma he was in, but said, "I cannot
violate my honest convictions of duty. I vote
'No.'"
When the day of reconstruction began, at first
it was under the supervision of the military, and
it is yet the greatest pity that Congress did not let
the military alone to rehabilitate the States they had
conquered. Isaac Murphy was made governor.
No truer Union man lived than he. He knew the
people, and his two years of government were
fast curing the wounds of war. But he was
turned out of ofiice.
The right to vote compels, if it is to be other
than an evil, some correct and intelligent under-
standing of the form of government prevailing in
the United States, and of the elementary prin-
ciples of political economy. The ability to read
and write, own property, go to Congress or edit a
political paper, has nothing to do with it, no more
than the color of the skin, eyes or hair of the voter.
The act of voting itself is the sovereign act in the
economic ailairs of the State; but if the govern-
ment under its existing form is to endure, the
average voter must understand and appreciate the
fundamental principles which, in the providence
of God, have made the United States the admira-
tion of the world.
Arkansas, the Democratic State, was in political
disquiet from 1861 to 1874 — the beginning of the
war and the end of reconstruction. When in the
hands of Congress it was returned at every regular
election as a Republican party State. The brief
story of the political Moses who led it out of the
wilderness is of itself a strange and interesting
commentary on self-government.
When the war came there lived in Batesville
Elisha Baxter, a young lawyer who had been
breasting only financial misfortunes all his life.
Utterly failing as a farmer and merchant, he had
been driven to study law and enter the practice
to make a living. An honest, kind-hearted, good
man, loving his neighbor as himself, but a patriot
every inch of him, and loving the Union above all
else, his heart was deeply grieved when he saw
his adopted State had declared for secession. He
could not be a disunionist, no more than he could
turn upon his neighbors, friends and fellow-citi-
zens of Arkansas. He determined to wash his
hands of it all and remain quietly at home. Like
all others he knew nothing of civil war. His
neighbors soon drove him from his home and
family, and, to save his life, he went to the North-
ern army, then in Southern Missouri. He was
welcomed and offered a commission in the Federal
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
55
army and an opportunity to return to his State.
He declined the offer; he could not tirrn and shed
the blood of his old neighbors and former friends.
In the vicissitudes of war this non-conibatant was
captured by an Arkansas command, paroled and
ordered to report to the military aiithorities at Lit-
tle Rock. He made his way thither, and was
thrown into a military prison and promptly indicted
for high treason. Then only h^ began to under-
stand the temper of the times, for the chances of
his being hanged were probably as a thousand to
one to acquittal. In this extremity he broke jail
and fled. He again reached the Northern army
in which he accepted a commission, and returned
to his old home in Batesville, remaining in mili-
tary command of the place. He was actively
engaged in recruiting the Union men of Northern
Arkansas and forming them into regiments. It
goes without saying that Baxter never raised a
hand to strike back at those who had so deeply
wronged him, when their positions were reversed
and he had the power in his hands.
At the fall election, 1871, Baxter was the regu-
lar Republican candidate for governor, and Joseph
Brooks was the Independent Republican nom-
inee. The Republican party was divided and each
bid for the Democratic vote by promises to the
ex-Confederates. Brooks may have been elected,
but was counted out. Baxter was duly inaugu-
rated. When he had served a year the politicians,
it is supposed, who controlled Arkansas, finding
the)' could not use Baxter, or in other words that
they had counted in the wrong man, boldly pro-
ceeded to undo their own acts, dethrone Baxter and
put Brooks in the chair of State. An account of
the Baxter-Brooks war is given in another chapter.
Thus was this man the victim of political cir-
cumstances; a patriot, loving his country and his
neighbors, he was driven from home and State; a
nou- combatant, he was arrested by his own friends
as a traitor and the hangman's halter dangled in
his face; breaking prison and stealing away like a
skiilking convict, to return as ruler and master by
the omnipotent power of the bayonet; a non-party
man, compelled to be a Republican in politics, and
finally, as a Republican, fated to lead the Demo-
cratic pai-ty to success and power.
The invincible Jacksonian dynasty, built up in
Arkansas, with all else of public institutions went
down in the sweep of civil war. It has not been
revived as a political institution. But the Demo-
cratic party dominates the State as of old.
50
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
€mw
— ♦ > * < ■> —
Societies, State Institutions, etc.— The Ku Klux Klan— Independent Order of Odd Fellows-
Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons— Grand Army of the Republic— Bureau of Mines-
Arkansas Agricultural Associations— State Horticultural Society — The AVheel
—The State Capital— The Capitol Building — State Libraries — State
Medical Society— State Board of Health — Deaf Mute Institute
—School for the Blind— Arkansas Lunatic Asylum— Ar-
kansas Industrial University — The State Debt.
Heaven forming each on other to depend,
A master, or a servant, or a friend.
Bids each on other for assistance call.
Till one man's weakness grows the strength of all. — Pope.
^ECRET societies are a form of
■social life and exjaression which,
in some mode of existence,
antedate even authentic his-
tory. Originally a manner
of securing defense from the
common enemies of tribes
and peoples, they have developed
into social and eleemosynary insti-
tutions as advances in civilization
have been made. At first they
were but a severe necessity, and as
that time slowly passed away, they
became a luxury and a pleasure,
having peculiar and strong attrac-
tion to nearly all men. That part of
one's nature which loves to lean
upon others for aid, even in the social scale, finds
its expression in some of the many forms of
societies, clubs, organizations or institutions that
now pervade nearly all the walks of life. In every
day existence, in business, church, state, politics
and pleasure, are societies and organizations every-
where — for the purposes of gain, charity and
comfort — indeed, for the sole purpose of finding
something to do, would be the acknowledgment of
many a society motto. The causes are as diversi-
fied as the bodies, secret and otherwise, are
numerous.
The South furnishes a most remarkable instance
of the charm there is in mystery to all men, in the
rise and spread of the Ku Klux Klan, a few years
ago. Three or four young men, in Columbia,
Tenn., spending a social evening together, con-
cluded to organize a winter's literary society. All
had just returned from the war, in which they had
fought for the ' ' lost cause, ' ' and found time
hanging dull upon them. Each eagerly caught at
the idea of a society, and soon they were in the
intricacies of the details. Together, from their
sparse recollections of their schoolbooks, they
evolved the curious name for the society. The
name suggested to them that the sport to be
derived from it might be increased by making it a
secret society. The thing was launched upon this
basic idea. In everything connected with it each
one was fertile it seems in adding mystery to mys-
tery in their meetings and personal movements.
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
57
The initiation of a new member was made a grand
and rollicking affair. So complete had the mem-
bers occasioned their little innocent society to be
a mystery, that it became in an astonishingly brief
time a greater enigma to themselves than even to
outsiders. It swiftly spread from the village to the
county, from the county to the State, and over-ran
the Southern States like a racing prairie fire,
changing in its aims and objects as rapidly as it
had grown. From simply fi'ightening the poor
night-prowling darkeys, it became a vast and
uncontrollable semi-military organization; inflict-
ing punishment here, and there taking life, until
the State of Tennessee was thrown into utter con-
fusion, and the military forces were called out;
large rewards were offered for the arrest even of
women found making any of the paraphernalia of
the order. Government detectives sent to pry into
their secrets were slain, and a general reign of
terror ensued. No rewards could induce a mem-
ber to betray his fellows; and the efforts of the
organizers to control the storm they had raised,
were as idle as the buzzing of a summer fly.
Thousands and thousands of men belonged to
it, who knew really little or nothing about it, and
who to this day are oblivious of the true history
of one of the most remarkable movements of large
bodies of men that has ever occurred in this or
perhaps any country. It was said by leading
members of the order that they could, in twenty-
four hours, put tens of thousands of men in line of
battle, all fully armed and equipped. It was
indeed the "Invisible Empire." By its founders
it was as innocent and harmless in its purposes as
a Sunday-school picnic, yet in a few weeks it spread
and grew until it overshadowed the land — but little
else than a bloody, headless riot. The imagina-
tions of men on the outside conjured up the most
blood-curdling falsehoods as to its doings; while
those inside were, it seems, equally fertile in
schemes and devices to further mystify people,
alarm some and terrify others, and apparently the
wilder the stoiy told about them, the more they
would enjoy it. Its triie history will long give it
rank of first importance to the philosophic and
careful, painstaking historian.
Among societies of the present day, that
organization known as the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows is recognized as a prominent one. The
Grand Lodge of the order in Arkansas was organ-
ized June 11, 1849. Its first past grand master
was John J. Horner, elected in 185-1. His siicces-
sors to date have been as follows : James A. Henry,
1858 ; P. O. Hooper, 1859-1866 ; Richard Bragg,
Sr., 1862; Peter Brugman, 1867, 1868, 1871; Isaac
Eolsom, 1873; Albert Cohen, 1874; John B. Bond,
1876; E. B. Moore, 1878; James S. Holmes, 1880;
Adam Clark, 1881 ; W. A. Jett, 1882 ; James A.
Gibson, 1884 ; George W. Hurley, 1885 ; H. S.
Coleman, 1886, and A. S. Jett, 1887. The pres-
ent able officers are R. P. Holt, grand master;
J. P. Woolsey, deputy grand master; Louis C.
Lincoln, grand warden ; Peter Brugman, grand
secretary; H. Ehrenbers. grand treasurer; H. S.
Coleman, grand representative; A. S. Jett, grand
representative; Rev. L. B. Hawley, grand chap-
lain; John R. Richardson, grand marshal; J. G.
Parker, grand conductor; William Mosby, grand
guardian ; W. J. Glenn, grand herald. In the
State there are eighty-two lodges and a total mem-
bership, reported by the secretary at the October
meeting, 1888, of 2,023. The revenue from sub-
ordinate lodges amounts to $13,832, while the
relief granted aggregates $2,840. There were
sixteen Rebekah lodges organized in 1887-88.
The Masonic fraternity is no less influential
in the affairs of every part of the country, than the
society just mentioned. There is a tradition — too
vague for reliance — that Masonry was introduced
into Arkansas by the Spaniards more than 100
years ago, and that therefore the first lodge was
established at Arkansas Post. Relying, however,
upon the records the earliest formation of a lodge
of the order was in 1819, when the Grand Lodge
of Kentucky granted a dispensation for a lodge at
Arkansas Post. Robert Johnson was the first mas-
ter. Judge Andrew Scott, a Federal judge in the
Territory, was one of its members. But before
this lodge received its charter, the seat of govern-
ment was removed to Little Rock, and the Arkan-
sas Post lodge became extinct. No other lodge
was attempted to be established until 1836, when
58
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
a dispensation was granted Washington Lodge No.
82, at Fayetteville, October 3, 1837. Onesimus
Evans, was master; James McKissick, senior war-
den; Mathew Leeper, junior warden.
In 1838 the Grand Lodge of Louisiana granted
the second dispensation for a lodge at Arkansas
Post — Morning Star Lodge No. 42 ; the same year
granting a charter to Western Star Lodge No. 43,
at Little Rock. Of this Edward Cross was master;
Charles L. Jeffries, senior warden ; Nicholas Peay,
junior warden. About this time the Grand Lodge
of Alabama granted a charter to Mount Horeb
Lodge, of Washington, Hempstead County.
November 21, 1838, these four lodges held a
convention at Little Rock and formed the Grand
Lodge of Arkansas.
The representatives at this convention were:
From Washington Lodge No. 82, of Fayetteville,
Onesimus Evans, past master; Washington L. Wil-
son, Robert Bedford, Abraham Whinnery, Richard
C. S. Brown, Samuel Adams and Williamson S.
Oldham.
From Western Star Lodge No. 43. of Little
Rock, William Gilckrist, past master; Charles L.
Jeffries, past master; Nicholas Peay, past master;
Edward Cross, past master; Thomas Parsel, Alden
Sprague and John Morris.
From Morning Star Lodge No 42, of the Post
of Arkansas, John W. Pullen.
From Mount Horeb Lodge, of Washington,
James H. Walker, Allen M. Oakley, Joseph W. Mc-
Kean and James Trigg.
Of this convention John Morris, of Western
Star Lodge No. 43, was made secretary. Mr.
Morris is still living (1889), a resident of Auburn,
Sebastian County, and is now quite an old man.
Mr. John P. Karns, of Little Rock, was in
attendance at the convention, although not a dele-
gate. These two are the only ones surviving who
were present on that occasion.
The Grand Lodge organized by the election of
William Gilchrist, grand master; Onesimus Evans,
deputy grand master; James H. Walker, grandsen-
ior warden; Washington L. W^ilson, grand junior
warden; Alden Sprague, grand treasurer, and
George C. Watkins, grand secretary.
The constituent lodges, their former charters be-
ing extinct by their becoming members of a new jur-
isdiction, took new numbers. Washington Lodge,
at Fayetteville, became No. 1; Western Star, of
Little Rock, became No. 2; Morning Star, of the
Post of Arkansas, became No. 8, and Mount Horeb,
of Washington, became No. 4. Of these Wash-
ington No. 1, and Western Star No. 2, are in vig-
orous life, but Morning Star No. 3, and Mount
Horeb No. 4, have become defunct.
From this beginning of the four lodges, with a
membership of probably 100, the Grand Lodge
now consists of over 400 lodges, and a member-
ship of about 12,000.
The following are the officers for the present
year: R. H. Taylor, grand master. Hot Springs;
J. W. Sorrels, deputy grand master. Farmer,
Scott County; D. B. Warren, grand lecturer,
Gainesville; W. A. Clement, grand orator. Rover,
Yell County; W. K. Ramsey, grand senior ward-
en, Camden; C. A. Bridewell, grand junior ward-
en, Hope; George H. Meade, grand treasurer. Lit-
tle Rock; Fay Hempstead, grand secretary. Little
Rock; D. D. Leach, grand senior deacon, Augusta;
Samuel Peete, grand junior deacon, Batesville; H.
W. Brooks, grand chaplain, Hope; John B. Baxter,
grand marshal, Briukley; C. C. Hamby, grand
sword bearer, Prescott; S. Solmson, senior grand
steward. Pine Bluff; A. T. Wilson, junior grand
steward. Eureka Springs; J. C. Churchill, grand
pursuivant, Charlotte, Independence County; Ed.
Metcalf, gra;nd tyler. Little Rock.
The first post of the Grand Army of the Repub-
lic, Department of Arkansas, was organized under
authority from the Illinois Commandery, and called
McPherson Post No. 1, of Little Rock. The
district then passed under command of the Depart-
ment of Missoui'i, and by that authority was or-
ganized Post No. 2, at Fort Smith.
The Provisional Department of Arkansas was
organized June 18, 1883, Stephen Wheeler being
department commander, and C. M. Vaughan, adju-
tant-general. A State encampment was called to
meet at Fort Smith, July 11, 1883. Six posts were
represented in this meeting, when the following
State officers were elected: S. Wheeler, com-
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
59
mander; M. Mitchell, senior vice; R. E. Jackson,
junior vice; H. Stone, quartermaster, and the
following council: Johu F. Owen, A. S. Fowler,
W. ^Y. Bailey, A. Walrath, Benton Turner.
There are now seventy-four posts, with a mem-
bership of 2, 500, in the State. The present offi-
cers are: Department commander, A. S. Fowler;
senior vice commander, JohnVaughan; junior vice
commander, E. A. Ellis; medical director, T. G.
Miller; chaplain, T. R. Early.
The council of administration includes A. A.
Whissen, Thomas Boles, W. S. Bartholomew, R.
E. Renner and I. B. Lawton. The following were
the appointments on the staff of the department
commander: Assistant adjutant-general, N.W. Cox;
assistant quartermaster-general, Stephen Wheeler;
judge advocate, S. J. Evans; chief mustering
officer, S. K. Robinson; department inspector,
R. S. CuiTy. Headquarters were established at
Little Rock, Ark.
There are other bodies in the State whose aims
and purposes differ materially from those previously
mentioned. Among these is the Arkansas Bureau
of Mines, Manufactures and Agriculture, which
was organized as a State institution at the session
of the legislature in 1889. The governor ap-
pointed M. F. Locke commissioner, the latter mak-
ing M. W. Manville assistant. They at once pro-
ceeded to organize the department and open an
office in the State-house. The legislature appro-
priated for the next two years for the bureau the
sum of $18,000.
This action of the legislature was in response
to a demand from all parts of the State, which,
growing in volume for some time, culminated in
the meeting in Little Rock of numerous promi-
nent men, and the organization of the Arkansas
State Bureau of Immigration, January 31, ISSS.
A demand fi'om almost every county prompted
Gov. Senior P. Hughes to issue a call for a State
meeting. The meeting was composed only of the
best representative citizens. Gov. Hughes, in his
address, stated that '"the State should have an
agricultural, mining and manufacturing bureau,
which should be a bureau of statistics and immi-
gration, also. ' ' Hon. Logan H. Roots was elected
president of the convention. He voiced the pm--
poses of the meeting still further when he said,
" We want to educate others on the wealth-mak-
ing properties of our State. ' ' A permanent State
organization was effected, one delegate from each
county to constitute a State Board of Immigra-
tion, and the following permanent officers were
chosen: Logan H. Roots, of Little Rock, presi-
dent; Dandridge McRae, of Searcy, vice-president;
H. L. Remmel, of Newport, secretary; George R.
Brown, of Little Rock, treasurer; J. H. Clen-
dening, of Fort Smith, A. M. Crow, of Arkadel-
phia, W. P. Fletcher, of Lonoke, additional exec-
utive committee. The executive committee issued
a strong address and published it extensively, giv-
ing some of the many inducements the State had
to offer immigrants. The legislature could not
fail to properly recognize such a movement of the
people, and so provided for the long needed bu-
reau.
Arkansas Agricultural Association was organ-
ized in 1885. It has moved slowly so far, but is
now reaching the condition of becoming a great
and prosperous institution. The entire State is soon
to be made into sub-districts, with minor organ-
izations, at least one in each Congressional district,
with a local control in each, and all will become
stockholders and a part of the parent concern.
A permanent State fair and suitable grounds and
fixtures are to be provided in the near f uttu'e, when
Arkansas will successfully vie with any State in
the Union in an annual display of its products.
The officers of the Agricultural Association for
1889, are as follows: Zeb. AVard, president, Little
Rock; B. D. Williams, first vice-president. Little
Rock; T. D. Culberhouse, vice-president First
Congressional district; D. McRae, vice president
Second Congressional district; W. L. Tate, vice-
president Third Congressional district ; J. J. Sump-
ter, vice-president Fourth Congressional district; J.
H. Vanhoose, vice-president Fifth Congressional
district; M. W. Manville, secretary; D. W. Bizzell,
treasurer.
Arkansas State Horticultural Society was or-
ganized May 24, 1879, and incorporated January
31, 1889. Under its completed organization the
60
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
first fair was held in Little Rock, commencing
Wednesday, May 15, 1889. President, E. F. Bab-
cock; secretary, M. W. Manville; executive com
mittee, S. H. Nowlin, chairman. Little Rock;
George P. C. Rumbough, Little Rock; Rev. S. H.
Buchanan, Little Rock; E. C. Kinney, Judsonia,
and Fred Dengler, Hot Springs, constitute the
official board.
In 1881 three farmers of Prairie County met
and talked over farm matters, and concluded to
organize a society for the welfare of the farming
community. The movement grew with astonish-
ing rapidity. It was organized as a secret, non-
political society, and in matters of trade and com-
merce proposed to give its members the benefit
of combination. In this respect it advocated ac-
tion in concert with all labor unions or organiza-
tions of laborers. A State and National organiza-
tion was efFected, and the sub-organizations, ex-
tending to the smallest school districts, were re-
quired to obtain authority and report to the State
branch and it in return to the National head. Thus
far its originators sought what they believed to be
the true co-operative method in their business af-
fairs.
The next object was to secure beneficial legis-
lation to farmers — each one to retain his polit-
ical party affiliations, and at the ballot-box to vote
for either farmers or those most closely identified
with their interests as might be found on the
respective party tickets.
The officers of the National society are: Isaac
McCracken, president. Ozone, Ark., and A. E.
Gardner, secretary and treasurer, Dresden, Tenn.
The Arkansas State Wheel officers are: L. P.
Featherstone, president, Forrest City; R. H.
Morehead, secretar}^ White Chapel, and W. H.
Quayle, treasurer, Ozan.
The scheme was inviting to honest farmers and
the humble beginning soon grew to be a most pros-
perous society — not only extending over the State,
but reaching boldly across the line into other
States. When at the zenith of its prosperity, it
is estimated there were 60,000 members of the
order in Arkansas. This was too tempting a pros-
pect for the busy political demagogues, and to the
amazement of the better men in the society, they
soon awoke to the fact that they were in the hands
of the wily politicians. It is now estimated that
the ranks in Arkansas are reduced to 20,000 or
less — all for political causes. The movement now
is to purge the society of politics and in the near
futui'e to meet the Farmer's Alliance in St. Louis,
and form a combination of the two societies. It
is hoped by this arrangement to avoid the dema-
gogues hereafter, and at the same time form a
strong and permanent society, which will aaswer
the best interests of the farming community.
As stated elsewhere, the location of a capital
for Arkansas early occupied the attention of its
citizens. On November 20, 1821, William Rus-
sell and others laid off and platted Little Rock
as the future capital of the Territory and State.
They made a plat and a bill of assurances thereto,
subdividing the same into lots and blocks. They
granted to Pulaski County Lots 3 and -i in trust
and on the conditions following, viz. : ' ' That the
said county of Pulaski within two years" should
erect a common jail upon said Lots 3 and 4. Out
of this transaction grew a great deal of litigation.
The first jail was built of pine logs in 1823. It
stood until 1837, when it was burned, and a brick
building was erected in its stead. This stood for
many years, but through the growth of the city, it in
time became a public nuisance and was condemned,
and the location moved to the present site of the
stone jail.
The Territory was organized by Congress in
1819, and the seat of government located at the
Post of Arkansas. In the early part of 1820
arose the question of a new site for the seat of
government, and all eyes turned to Pulaski County.
A capital syndicate was formed and Little Rock
Bluff fixed upon as the future capital. The one
trouble was that the land at this point was not yet
in market, and so the company secured ' ' sunk land
scrip ' ' and located this upon the selected town
site. The west line of the Quapaw Indian reser-
vation struck the Arkansas River at ' ' the Little
Rock ' ' and therefore the east line of the contem-
plated capital had to be west of this Quapaw line.
This town survey ' ' west of the point of rocks.
^/ 4-z-^-^^^t^^^
Gqwernor df Arkansas.
/
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
61
immediately south of the Arkansas River, and
west of the Quapaw line," was surveyed and re-
turned to the recorder at St. Louis as the new town
site and Territorial capital — called Little Rock.
The dedication of the streets, etc. , and the plat as
laid off, was dated November 10, 1821. Grounds
were given for a State house, and other public
buildings and purposes, and for " the permanent
seat of justice of said county (Pulaski)"' was ded-
icated an entire half square, ' ' bounded on the north
by Markham Street and on the west by Spring
Street and on the south by Cherry (now Second)
Street ' ' for court house purposes . In return the
county was to erect a court house and jail on the
lots specified for these purposes, ' ' within ten
years from the date hereof. ' ' A market house was
to be erected by the city on Lots 4 and 5, Block 99.
The latter in time was built on these lots, the upper
story containing a council chamber, which was in
public use until 1864, when the present city hall
was erected.
By an act of the legislature, October 24, 1821,
James Billingsly, Crawford County, Samuel C.
Roane, Clark County, and Robert Bean, Inde-
pendence County, were appointed commissioners,
"to fix on a proper place for the seat of justice of
the County of Pulaski;" the act further specify-
ing ' ' they shall take into consideration donations
and future divisions." The latter part of the
sentence is made still more important by the fact
that at that time the western boundary of Pulaski
County was 100 miles west, at the mouth of Petit
Jean, and the eastern boundary was a few miles
below Pine Bluff.
October 18,1820, the Territorial seat of govern-
ment was removed from the Post of Arkansas to
the Little Rock, the act to take effect June 1, 1821.
It provided ' ' that there shall be a bond * » *
for the faithful performance of the promise and
good faith by which the seat of government is
moved. " '
In November, 1821, about the last of the belong-
ings of the Territorial capital at the Post were
removed to Little Rock. It was a crossing point
on the river of the government road leading to
Missouri, and the place had often been designated
as the ' ' Missouri Crossing, ' ' but the French had
generally called it Arkapolis.
During the short time the Territorial capital
was at Arkansas Post, no effort was made to erect
public buildings, as from the first it was under-
stood this was but a temporary location. When
the capital came to Little Rock a one-story double
log house was built, near the spot where is now
the Presbyterian Church, or near the corner of
Scott and Fifth Streets. This building was in
the old style of two rooms, with an open space
between, but all under the same roof. In 1826
the log building was superseded by a one-story
frame. March 2, 1831, Congress authorized the
Territory to select ten sections of land and appro-
priate the same toward erecting capitol buildings;
and in 1832 it empowered the governor to lease
the salt springs. With these different funds was
erected the central building of the present capitol,
the old representative hall being where is now the
senate chamber. In 1836, when Arkansas became
a State, there was yet no plastering in any part of
the brick building, and in the assembly halls were
plain pine board tables and old fashioned split
bottomed chairs, made in Little Rock.
In 1886, at the remarkably small cost of S35,000,
were added the additions and improvements and
changes in the capitol building, completing it in
its present form. And if the same wisdom con-
trols the State in the future that has marked the
past, especially in the matter of economy in its
public buildings, there will be only a trifling
additional expenditure on public buildings during
the next half century. The State buildings are
sufficient for all public needs; their plainness and
cheapness are a pride and glory, fitting monuments
to the past and present generation of rulers and
law makers, testifj-ing to their intelligence and
integrity.
The State library was started March 3, 1838, at
first solely as a reference and exchange medium.
It now has an annual allowance of $100, for pur-
chasing books and contains 25,000 volumes, really
more than can suitably be accommodated.
The Supreme Court library was established in
January, 1851. It has 8,000 volumes, including
62
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
all the reports and the leading law works. The
fees of attorneys' license upon admission to the
bar, of ten dollars, and a dollar docket fee in each
case in court, constitute the fund provided for the
library.
The State Medical Society, as now constituted,
was formed in May, 1875. It held its fourteenth
annual session in 1889, at Pine Bluff. Edward
Bentley is the acting president, and L. P. Gibson,
secretary. Subordinate societies are formed in all
parts of the State and are represented by regular
delegates in the general assemblies. In addition to
the officers for the current year above given are
Z. Orts, assistant secretary, A. J. Vance, C. S.
Gray, B. Hatchett and W. H. Hill, vice-presidents
in the order named.
The State Board of Health was established by
act of the legislature, March 23, 1881. It is com-
posed of six commissioners, appointed by the gov-
ernor, ' 'a majority of whom are to be medical grad-
uates and of seven years ' practice in the profes-
sion. " The board is required to meet once in
every three months. The secretary is allowed a
salary of $1,000 per annum, but the others receive
no compensation except traveling expenses in the
discharge of official duties.
The present board is composed of Dr. A. L.
Breysacher, president; Dr. Lorenzo R. Gibson, sec-
retary ; Doctors J. A. Dibrell, P. Van Patton, W.
A. Cantrell and V. Brunson.
The beginning which resulted in the present
elegant State institution for deaf mutes was a school
established near the close of the late war, in Little
Rock, by Joseph Mount, an educated mute, who
gathered a few of these unfortunate ones together
and taught a private school. The State legislature
incorporated the school and made a small provision
for it, July 17, 1868, the attendance that year
being four pupils. The buildings are on the beau-
tiful hill just west of the Union Depot, the im-
provement of the grounds being made in 1869.
The attendance in 1870 was 43 pupils, which in
the last session' s report, 1888, reached the number
of 109; and the superintendent, anticipating an at-
tendance for the current two years of 150, has
solicited appropriations accordingly.
The board of trustees of the Deaf Mute Insti-
tute includes: Hon. George E. Dodge, president;
Col. S. L. Griffith, vice-president; Maj. R. H. Par-
ham, Jr., secretary; Hon. AV. E. Woodruff, treas-
urer; Maj. George H. Meade and Col. A. R. Witt.
The officers are: Principal, Francis D. Clarke;
instructors: John W. Michaels, Mrs. I. H. Carroll,
Miss Susan B. Harwood, Miss Kate P. Brown, Miss
Emma Wells, S. C. Bright; teacher of articulation,
Miss Lottie Kirkland. Mrs. M. M. Beattie is
matron; Miss Lucinda Nations, assistant ; Miss
Clara Abbott, supervises the sewing, and Mrs.
Amanda Harley is housekeeper. The visiting phy-
sician is J. A. Dibrell, Jr. , M. D. ; foreman of the
printing office, T. P. Clarke; foreman of the shoe
shop, U. G. Dunn. Of the total appropriations
asked for the ciirrent two years, $80,970, $16,570
is for improvements in buildings, grounds, school
apparatus, or working departments.
The Arkansas School for the Blind was incor-
porated by act of the legislature, February 4, 1859,
and opened to pupils the same year in Arkadel-
phia. In the year of 1868 it was removed to Little
Rock, and suitable grounds purchased at the foot
of Center Street, on Eighteenth Street.
This is not an asylum for the aged and infirm,
nor a hospital for the treatment of disease, but a
school for the young of both sexes, in which are
taught literature, music and handcraft Pupils
between six and twenty-six years old are received,
and an oculist for the purpose of treating pupils
is a part of its benefits; no charge is made for
board or tuition, but friends are expected to fur-
nish clothing and traveling expenses.
It is estimated there are 300 blind of school
age in the State. The legislature has appro-
priated $140 a year for each pupil. On this allow-
ance in two years the steward reported a balance
unexpended of $1,686.84. In 1886 was appro-
priated $6,000 to build a workshop, store-room,
laundry and bake-oven. In 1860 the attendance
was ten — five males and five females; in 1862,
seven males and six females. The year 1888
brought the attendance up to fifty males and fifty-
two females, or a total of 102. During the last
two years six have graduated here — three in the
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
63
industrial department, and three in the industrial
and literary department. Four have been dis-
missed on account of recovered eyesight.
The trustees of the school are: J. R. Right-
sell, S. M. Marshall, W. C. Ratcliffe, J.W. Hoiise,
and D. G. Fones; the superintendent being John
H. Dye.
Another commendable institution, carefully
providing for the welfare of those dethroned of
reason, is the Arkansas State Lunatic Asylum,
which was authorized by act of the legislature of
1873, when suitable grounds were purchased, and
highly improved, and buildings erected. The in
stitution is three miles west of the capitol and one-
half mile north of the Mount Ida road. Eighty acres
of ground were originally piirchased and enclosed
and are now reaching a high state of improve-
ment. The resident jjopulation of the asylum at
present is 500 souls, and owing to the crowded
conditions an additional eighty acres were pur-
chased in 1887, making in all 160 acres. A care-
ful inquiry shows there are in the State (and not in
the asylum, for want of room) 198 insane persons,
entitled under the law to the benefits of the insti-
tution. Of the 411 patients in the asylum in 1888,
only four were pay patients.
John G. Fletcher, R. K. Walker, A. L. Brey-
sacher, John D. Adams and ^^'illiam J. Little are
trustees of the institution, while Dr. P. O. Hooper
is superintendent.
In 1885 the legislature made an appropriation
of $92, 500 for the erection of additional buildings
and other needed improvements. This fund was
not all iised, but the remainder was returned into
the State treasury. The total current expenses for
the year 1887 aggregated 145,212.60. The current
expenses on patients the same year were $29, 344. 80.
The comfort of the unfortunates — the excellence of
the service, the wholesome food given them, and at
the same time the minimum cost to the tax payers,
prove the highest possible commendation to those
in charge.
The Arkansas Industrial University is the prom-
ise, if not the present fulfillment, of one of the
most important of State iastitutions. It certainly
deserves the utmost attention from the best people
of the State, as it is destined to become in time one
of the great universities of the world. It should
be placed in position to be self-supporting, be-
cause education is not a public pauper and never
can be permanently successful on charity. Any
education to be had must be earned. This law of
nature can no more be set aside than can the law
of gravitation, and the ignorance of such a simple
fact in statesmen and educators has cost our civili-
zation its severest pains and ^^enalties.
The industrial department of the institution
was organized in June, 1885. The act of incor-
poration provided that all males should work at
manual labor three hours each day and be paid
therefor ten cents an hour. Seven thousand
dollars was appropriated to equip the shops. Prac-
tical labor was defined to be not only farm and
shop work, but also surveying, drawing and labor-
atory practice. Mechanical arts and engineering
became a part of the curriculum. The large major-
ity of any people must engage in industrial pur-
suits, and to these industrial development and
enlightenment and comfort go hand-in-hand.
Hence the real people's school is one of manual
training. Schools of philosophy and literature will
take care of themselves; think of a school (classical)
endeavoring to train a Shakespeare or Burns ! To
have compelled either one of these to graduate at
Oxford would have been like clijiping the wings
of the eagle to aid his upward flight. In the edu-
cation at least of children nature is omnipotent and
pitiless, and it is the establishment of such train-
ing schools as the Arkansas Industrial University
that gives the cheering evidence of the world's
progress. In its continued prosperity is hope for
the near future; its failure through ignorance or
bigotry in the old and worn out ideas of the dead
past, will go far toward the confirmation of the
cruel cynicism that the most to be pitied animal
pell-melled into the world is the new-born babe.
The University is situated at Fayetteville,
Washington County. It was organized by act of
the legislature, based on the ' ' Land Grant Act' '
of Congress of 1862, and supplemented by liberal
donations from the State, the County of Wash-
ington, and the city of Fayetteville. The school
64
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
was opened in 1872. March 30, 1877, the legisla-
tui'e passed the act known as the ' ' Barker Bill, ' '
which made nearly a complete change in the pur-
view of the school and brought prominently for-
ward the agricultural and mechanical departments.
"To gratify our ambitious" [but mistaken]
' ' youth, ' ' says the prospectus, ' ' we have, under
Section 7 of the act, provided for instruction in the
classics."
Under the act of Congress known as the
' • Hatch Bill, ' ' an Agricultural Experimental Sta-
tion has been organized. Substantial buildings
are now provided, and the cost of board in the in-
stitution is reduced to $8 per month. The attend-
ance at the present time is ninety -six students,
and steps are being taken to form a model stock-
farm. The trustees, in the last report, say: " We
recommend that girls be restored to the privi-
leges of the institution." The law only excludes
females from being beneficiaries, and females may
still attend as pay students.
A part of the University is a branch Normal
School, established at Pine Bluff, for the purpose
of educating colored youth to be school teachers.
These Normal Schools have for some years been
a favorite and expensive hobby in most of the
Northern States. There is probably no question
that, for the promotion of the cause of education
among the negroes, they offer unusual attractions.
The following will give the reader a clear com-
prehension of the school and its purposes. Its
departments are:
Mechanic arts and engineering, agriculture,
experiment station, practical work, English and
modern languages, biology and geology, military
science and tactics, mathematics and logic, prepara-
tory department, drawing and industrial art, and
music.
To all these departments is now added the med -
ical department, located at Little Rock. This
branch was founded in 1871, and has a suitable
building on Second Street. The tenth annual
course of lectures in this institution commenced
October 3, 1888; the tenth annual commencement
being held March 8, 1889. The institution is self-
supporting, and already it ranks among the fore-
most medical schools in the country. The graduat-
ing class of 1888 numbered twenty.
The State Board of Visitors to the medical
school are Doctors W. W. Hipolite, W. P. Hart,
W. B. Lawrence, J. M. Keller, I. Folsom.
The debt of Arkansas is not as large as a cur-
sory glance at the figures might indicate. The
United States government recently issued a statis-
tical abstract concerning the public debt of this
State that is very misleading, and does it a great
wrong. In enumerating the debts of the States it
puts Arkansas at $12,029, 100. This error comes
of including the bonds issued for railroad and levee
purposes, that have been decided by the Supreme
Court null and void, to the amount of nearly
$10,000,000. They are therefore no part of the
State indebtedness.
The real debt of the State is $2,111,000,
including principal and accumulated interest.
There is an amount in excess of this, if there is
included the debt due the general government,
but for all such the State has counter claims, and
it is not therefore estimated in giving the real
indebtedness.
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
The Bench and Bar— An Analytic View of the Profession of Law— Spanish and French liAws —
English Common Law— The Legal Circuit Riders— Territorial Law and Lawyers
—The Court Circuits— Early Court Officers— The Supreme Court— Promi-
nent Members of the State Bench and Bar— The Standard
' of the Execution of Law in the State.
Laws do not put the least restraint
Upon our freedom, but maintaiu 't;
Or it tliey do. 'tis for our good,
To give us freer latitude;
For wholesome laws preserve us free
By stinting of our liberty. — Butler.
''HE Territory when under
Spanish or French rule
was governed by much the
same laws and customs.
The home government ap-
pointed its viceroys, who
were little more than nomi-
nally under the control of the
except in the general laws
of the mother country. The neces-
sary local provisions in the laws
were not strictly required to be
submitted for approval to the mas-
.ter powers before being enforced
in the colony. Both govern-
ments were equally liberal in
bestowing the lands upon sub-
jects, and as a rule, without cost. But the shadow
of feudal times still lingered over each of them,
and they had no conception that the real people
would want to be small landholders, supposing
that in the new as in the old world they would
drift into villanage, and in some sense be a part
of the possession of the landed aristocracy. Hence,
these governments are seen taking personal charge
as it were of the colonies ; providing them masters
and protectors, who, with government aid, would
transport and in a certain sense own them and
their labor after their arrival. The grantee of cer-
tain royal rights and privileges in the new world
was responsible to the viceroy for his colony, and
the viceroy to the king. The whole was anti-dem-
ocratic of course, and was but the continued and
old, old idea of ' ' the divine rights of rulers. ' '
The commentaries of even the favorite law-
writers to-day in this democratic country are
blurred on nearly every page with that monstrous
heresy, "the king can do no wrong" — the gov-
erning power is infallible, it needs no watching, no
jealous eye that will see its errors or its crimes ; a
fetich to be blindly worshiped, indiscriminately,
whether it is an angel of mercy or a monster of
evil. When Cannibal was king he was a god, with
no soul to dictate to him the course he jiursued.
■ ' The curiosities of patriotism under adversity ' '
just here suggests itself as a natural title-page to
one of the most remarkable books yet to be written.
The bench and bar form a very peculiar result
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
of modern civilization — to-day fighting the most
heroic battles for the poor and the oppressed ; to-
morrow, perhaps, expending equal zeal and elo-
quence in the train of the bloody usurper and ty-
rant. As full of inconsistencies as insincerity it-
.self, it is also as noted for as wise, conservative and
noble efForts in behalf of our race as ever distin-
guished patriot or sage.
The dangers which beset the path of the law-
yer are a blind adherence to precedent, and a love
of the abstruse technicalities of the law practice.
When both or either of these infirmities enter the
soul of the otherwise young and rising practitioner,
his usefulness to his fellow man is apt to be perma-
nently impaired. He may be the ' ' learned judge, ' '
but will not be the great and good one.
The history of the bench and bar should be
an instructive one. The inquirer, commencing in
the natural order of all real history, investigating
the cause or the fountain source, and then follow-
ing up the efPects flowing from causes, is met at
the threshold with the question. Why ? What
natural necessity created this vast and expensive
supernumerary of civilization ? The institution in
its entirety is so wide and involved, so comprehen-
sive and expensive, with its array of court officials,
great temples, its robes, ermine and wool-sacks; its
halls, professors, schools and libraries, that the
average mind is oppressed with the attempt to
grasp its outlines. In a purely economic sense it
produces not one blade of grass. After having
elucidated this much of the investigation as best
he can, he comes to a minor one, or the details
of the subject. For illustration's sake, let it be
assumed that he will then take up the considera-
tion of grand juries, their origin, history and present
necessity for existence. These are mere hints, but
such as will arrest the attention of the student of law
of philosophical turn of mind. They are nothing
more than the same problems that come in every
department of history. The school of the lawyer
is to accept precedent, the same as it is a common
human instinct to accept what comes to him from
the fathers — assuming everything in its favor and
combating everything that would dispute "the
old order." It is the exceptional mind which
looks ancient precedent in the face and asks ques-
tions, Whence ? W^hy ? Whither ? These are gen-
erally inconvenient queries to indolent content,
but they are the drive-wheels of moving civiliza-
tion.
One most extraordinary fact forever remains,
namely, that lawyers and statesmen never unfolded
the science of political economy. This seems a
strange contradiction, but nevertheless it is so.
The story of human and divine laws is much alike.
The truths have not been found, as a rule, by the
custodians of the temples. The Rev. Jaspers are still
proclaiming " the world do move." Great states-
men are still seriously regulating the nation's
' ' balance of trade, ' ' the price of interest on money,
and through processes of taxation enriching peo-
ples, while the dear old precedents have for 100
years been demonstrated to be myths. They are
theoretically dead with all intelligent men, but
are very much alive in fact. Thus the social
life of every people is full of most amusing curi-
osities, many of them harmless, many that are not.
The early bench and bar of Arkansas produced
a strong and virile race of men. The pioneers of
this important class of community possessed vigor-
ous minds and bodies, with lofty ideals of personal
honor, and an energy of integrity admirably fitted
to the tasks set before them.
The law of the land, the moment the Louisi-
ana purchase was effected, was the English com-
mon law, that vast and marvelous structure, the
growth of hundreds of years of bloody English
history, and so often the apparent throes of civil-
ization.
The circuit riders composed the first bench
and bar here, as in all the western States. In
this State especially the accounts of the law prac-
tice—the long trips over the wide judicial circuits;
the hardships endured, the dangers encountered
from swollen streams ere safe bridges spanned
them; the rough accommodations, indeed, some-
times the absence of shelter from the raging ele-
ments, and amid all this their jolly happy-go-lucky
life, their wit and fun, their eternal electioneering,
for every lawyer then was a politician; their quick-
ened wits' and schemes and devices to advantage
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
67
each other, both in and out of the courts, if all
could be told in detail, would read like a fascinat-
ing romance. These riders often traveled in com-
panies of from three to fifteen, and among them
would be found the college and law-school gradu-
ates, and the brush graduates, associated in some
cases and opposed in others. And here, as in all
the walks of life, it was often found that the rough,
self-educated men overmatched the graduates in
their fiercest contests. While one might understand
more of the books and of the learned technicalities
of law, the other would know the jury best, and
overthrow his antagonist. In the little old log
cabin court rooms of those days, when the court
was in session, the contest of the legal gladiators
went on from the opening to the closing of the
term. Generally the test was before a jury, and
the people gathered from all the surrounding coun-
try, deeply interested m every movement of the
actors. This was an additional stimulus to the
lawyer politicians, who well understood that their
ability was gauged by the crowd, as were their suc-
cesses before the jury. Thus was it a combination
of the forum and "stump." Here, sometimes in
the conduct of a noted case, a seat in Congress
would be won or lost. A seat in Congi-ess, or on
the "wool sack," was the ambition of nearly every
circuit rider. Their legal encounters were fought
out to the end. Each one was dreadfully in earn-
est—he practiced no assumed virtues in the strug-
gle; battling as much at least for himself as his
client, he would yield only under compulsion, even
in the minor jioints, and, unfortunately, sometimes
in the heat of ardor, the contest jvould descend
from a legal to a personal one. and then the handy
duello code was a ready resort. It seems it was
this unhappy mixture of law and politics that
caused many of these bloody personal encounters.
In the pure practice of the law, stripped of polit-
ical bearings, there seldom, if ever, came misunder-
standings.
They must have been a fearless and earnest
class of men to brave the hardships of professional
life, as well as mastering the endless and involved
intricacies of the legal practice of that day. The
law then was but little less than a mass of un-
meaning technicalities. A successful practitioner
required to have at his fingers' ends at least Black-
stone' s Commentaries and Chitty's Pleadings, and
much of the wonders contained in the Rules of
Evidence. Libraries were then scarce and their
privations here were nearly as great as in the com-
mon comforts for "man and beast." There have
been vast improvements in the simplifying of the
practice, the abolition of technical pleadings es-
pecially, since that time, and the young attorney
of today can hardly realize what it was the pio-
neers of his profession had to undergo.
A judicial circuit at that early day was an im-
mense domain, over which the bench and bar
regularly made semi-annual trips. Sometimes
they would not more than get arovind to their
starting point before it would be necessary to
go all over the groiind again. Thus the court was
almost literally ' ' in the saddle. ' ' The saddle-bags
were their law offices, and some of them, upon
reaching their respective county-seats, would sig-
nalize their brief stays with hard work all day in
the court-room and late roystering at the tavern
bar at night, regardless of the demurrers, pleas,
replications, rejoinders and surrejoinders, declara-
tions and bills that they knew must be confronted
on the morrow. Among these jolly sojourners,
' ' diaring court week ' ' in the villages, dignity and
circumspection were often given over exclusively
to the keeping of the judge and prosecutor. Cir-
cumstances thus made the bench and bar as social
a set as ever came together. To see them return-
ing after their long journeyings, sunburned and
weatherbeaten, having had but few advantages of
the laundry or bathtub, they might have passed for
a returning squad of cavalry in the late war. One
eccentric character made it a point never to start
with any relays to his wardrobe. When he reached
home after his long pilgrimage it would be noticed
that his clothes had a stuffed appearance. The
truth was that when clean linen was needed he
bought new goods and slipped them on over the
soiled ones. He would often tell how he dreaded
the return to his home, as he knew that after his
wife attended to his change of wardrobe he was
"most sure to catch cold."
68
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
On one occasion two members of the bar met
at a county seat where court was in session a week.
They had come from ojjposite directions, one of
them riding a borrowed horse seventy miles, while
the other on his own horse had traveled over 100
miles. Upon starting home they unwittingly ex-
changed horses, and neither discovered the mistake
until informed by friends after reaching their des-
tination. The horses could hardly have been more
dissimilar, but the owners detected no change. It
was nearly the value of the animals to make the
return exchange, yet each set out, and finally re-
turned with the proper horse. No little ingenuity
must have been manifested in finally unraveling
the great mystery of the affair.
Surrounded as they were with all these ill con-
ditions, as a body of men they were nevertheless
learned in the law, great in the forum, able and
upright on the bench. Comparisons are odious,
but it is nothing in disparagement to the present
generation of courts and la^fryers, to say that to be
equally great and worthy with these men of the
early bench and bar of Arkansas, is to exalt and
ennoble the profession in the highest degree.
Sixty years have now passed since the first
coming of the members of this calling to the State
of Arkansas. In 1819 President Monroe appointed
James Miller, governor, Robert Crittenden, secre-
tary, and Charles Jouitt, Andrew Scott and Robert
P. Letcher, jiidges of the Superior Court, for the
new Territory of Arkansas. All these, it seems,
except Gov. Miller, were promptly at the post of
duty and in the discharge of their respective offices.
In the absence of Mr. Miller, Mr. Crittenden was
acting governor. These men not only constituted
the first bench and bar, but the first Territorial ofii-
cials and the first legislature. They were all lo-
cated in the old French town of Arkansas Post.
The lawyers and judges were the legislative body,
which enacted the laws to be enforced in their re-
spective districts. At their first legislative session
they established but five statute laws, and from
this it might be inferred that there were few and
simple laws in force at that time, but the reader
will remember that from the moment of the Louis-
iana purchase all the new territory passed under
the regulation and control of the English common
law — substantially the same system of laws then
governing England.
It is a singular comment on American juris-
prudence that this country is still boasting the pos
I session of the English habeas corpus act, wrung
I by those sturdy old barons from King John, — a
I government by the people, universal suffrage,
I where the meanest voter is by his vote also a sov-
! ereign, and therefore he protects himself against
' — whom? — why, against himself by the English
I habeas corpus act, which was but the great act of
I a great people that first proclaimed a higher right
than was the " divine right of kings. ' ' When these
old Englishmen presented the alternative to King
John, the writ or the headsman's ax, he very sensi-
bly chose the lesser of the two great inconven-
iences. And from that moment the vital meaning
of the phrase "the divine right of kings" was
dead in England.
In America, where all vote, the writ of habeas
corpus has been time and time again suspended,
and there are foolish men now who would gladly
resort to this untoward measure, for the sake of
party success in elections. There is no language of
tongue or pen that can carry a more biting sar-
casm on our boasted freemen or free institutions
than this almost unnoticed fact in our history.
One of the acts of the first legislative session
held in August, 1819, was to divide the Territory
into two judicial circuits. As elsewhere stated, the
counties of Arkansas and Lawrence constituted the
First circuit; Pulaski, Clark and Hempstead Coun-
ties forming the Second.
The judges of the Superior Courts were as-
signed to the duties of the different circuits. At
the first real Territorial legislature, composed of
representatives elected by the people, the Territory
was divided into three judicial circuits. The
courts, however, for the different circuits, were all
held at the Territorial capital. There was no cir-
cuit riding, therefore, at this time.
Judicial circuits and judges residing therein
were not a ]3art of judiciary affairs until 1823. The
judges of the First circuit from that date, with time
of appointment and service, were: T. P. Eskridge,
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
69
December 10, 1823; Andrew Scott, April 11, 1827;
Sam G. Roane, April 17, 1829-36. The list of
prosecuting attorneys includes: W. B. R. Horner,
November 1, 1823; Thomas Hubbard, November
5, 1828, to February 15, 1832; G. D. Roystou,
September 7, 1833; Shelton Watson, October 4,
1835; A. G. Stephenson, January 23, 1836.
Of the Second circuit the judges were: Richard
Searcy, December 10, 1823, and J. W. Bates,
November, 1825, to 1836; while the prosecuting
attorneys were R. C. Oden, November 1, 1823; A.
H. Sevier, January 19, 1824 (resigned); Sam C.
Roane, September 26, 1826; Bennett H. Martin,
January 30, 1831; Absalom Fowler, ; D. L.
F. Royston, July 25, 1835; Townsend Dickin-
son, November 1, 1823; A. F. May, March 29,
1825 (died in office); W.' H. Parrott, April 21,
1827; S. S. Hall, August 31, 1831; J. W. Robert-
son, September 17, 1833; E. B. Ball, July 19,
1836.
Samuel S. Hall was judge of the Third circuit,
serving from December, 1823, to 1836. As pros-
ecuting attorneys, are found the names of T. Dick-
inson, January 10, 1823; A. D. G. Davis, June
21, 1829; S. G. Sneed, November 11, 1831; David
Walker, September 13, 1833; Thomas Johnson,
October 4, 1835; W. F. Denton, January 23, 1836.
The appointment of Charles Caldwell as judge
of the Fourth circuit dates from December 27.
1828; while E. T. Clark, February 13, J 830; J. C.
P. Tolleson, February 1. 1831; and W. K. Sebas-
tian, from January 25, 1833, served as prosecuting
attorneys.
The Supreme Court of Arkansas has ever com-
prised among its members men of dignity, wisdom
and keen legal insight. The directory of these
officials contains the names of many of those whose
reputation and influence are far more than local.
It is as follows:
Chief justices: Daniel Ringo, 1836; Thomas
Johnson, 1844; George C. Watkins, 1852 (re-
signed); E. H. English, 1854 (also Confederate);
T. D. W. Yonley. 1864 (Murphy constitution); E.
Baxter, 1864 (under Murphy regime); David
Walker. 1866 (ousted by military); W. W. Wil-
shire, 1868 (removed); John McClure, 1871, (re-
moved); E. H. English, 1874. Sterling R. Cock-
rill is present chief justi?
Associate justices: Thomas J. Lacey, 1836;
Townsend Dickinson, 1836; George W. Paschal,
1842; W. K. Sebastian, 1843; W. S. Oldham,
1845; Edward Cross, 1845; William Conway, 1846;
C. C. Scott, 1848; David Walker, 1847 and 1874;
Thomas B. Hanley, 1858 (resigned); F. I. Batson,
1858 (resigned); H. F. Fairchild, 1860 (died);
Albert Pike, 1861 (also Confederate); J. J. Clen-
denin, 1866 (ousted); T. M. Bowen, 1868; L.
Gregg, 1868; J. E. Bennett, 1871; M. L. Steph-
enson, 1872; E. J. Searle, 1872; W. M. Harrison,
1874; J. T. Bearden, 1874 (appointed); Jesse
Turner. 1878; J. R. Eakin^ 1878; W. W. Smith,
1882; B. B. Battle, 1885, re-elected. By law
three additional judges were elected April 2, 1889:
Simon B. Hughes, W. E. Hemingway and Mont.
H. Sandels.
Reporters: Albert Pike, N. W. Cox, E. H.
English, J. M. Moore, L. E. Barber, B. D. Turner
and W. W. Manstield (present incumbent).
Clerks: H. Haralson, L. E. Barber, N. W. Cox,
and W. P. Campbell (in office).
Special chief justices: William Story, F. W.
Compton, J. L. Witherspoon, S. H. Hempstead,
C. B. Moore, Thomas Johnson, R. A. Howard,
George A. Gallagher, B. B. Battle, Sam W. Will-
iams, A. B. Williams, G. N Cousin, Isaac Strain,
N. Haggard, Edward Cross, R. C. S. Brown, L.
A. Pindall, Sam C. Roane, George Conway, Sack-
tield Mackliuin, John Whytock, C. C. Farrelley,
W. W. Smith, W. I. Warwick, B. B. Morse, B.
D. Turner, George AV. Caruth, S. H. Harring-
ton.
In this list are the names of nearly all early
members of the Arkansas bar. Commencing here
as young attorneys in their profession, many of
them have left illustrious names — names that adorn
the history of the State and Nation, and time
will not dim nor change the exalted esteem now
given them. Not one of them but that was an ex-
ample of that wonderful versatility of American
genius — the young lawyer becoming great in the
practice of his jirofession in the wild wood; or cel-
ebrated on the bench for decisions that came to the
70
HISTORY OF AEKANSAS.
world like beacon lights from the unknown land;
or as senators holding civilized jaeople spell-bound
by their wisdom and eloquence; and all, at all times,
listening for their country's call to play as con-
spicuous a part in camp and field as they had in
the walks of civil life. To undertake all these
things is not wonderful with a people so cosmopol-
itan as those of the west, but to be preeminent in
each or all alike is most remarkable.
Of this brilliant galaxy of pioneer legal lights
— giants indeed — there now remain as a connect-
ing link with the present generation only the ven-
erable Gen. Albert Pike, of "Washington City, and
Judge Jesse Turner, of Van Buren.
Writing in a reminiscent way of the bench and
bar, Albert Pike says: '"When I came to the bar
there were William Cummins, Absalom Fowler,
Daniel Ringo, Chester Ashley, and Samuel Hall,
at Little Rock. I served on a jury in 1834 where
Robert Crittenden was an attorney in the case ; the
judge was Benjamin Johnson, who died in Decem-
ber, 1834, at Vicksburg. Parrott and Oden died
before I went to Little Rock. Judge William
Trimble was an old member of the bar when I en-
tered it, as was Col. Horner, of Helena. Thomas
B. Hanley had recently come to Helena from Louis-
iana. I think Maj. Thomas Hubbard and George
Conway were practicing at Washington in 1835.
Judge Andrew Scott had been Territorial judge, but
retired and lived in Pope County. Frederick W.
Trapnall and John W. Cocke came from Kentucky
to Little Rock in 1836, and also William C. Scott
and his partner, Blanchard. I think Samuel H.
Hempstead and John J. Clendenin came in 1836.
John B. Floyd lived and practiced law in Chicot
County." Gen. Pike further mentions Judge David
Walker, John Linton, Judges Hoge and Sneed,
John M. Wilson, Alfred W. Wilson, Archibald
Yell, Judge Fowler, Judge Richard C. S. Brown,
Bennett H. Martin, Philander Little, Jesse Turner
and Sam W. Williams as among the eminent law-
yers of the early courts of Arkansas.
The list of those who have occupied positions
as circuit judges and prosecuting attorneys in the
various circuits, will be found of equal interest
with the names mentioned in connection with a
higher tribunal. It is as below, the date affixed
indicating the beginning of the term of service:
Judges of the First circuit: W^. K. Sebastian,
November 19, 1840; J. C. P. Tolleson, February
8, 1843 ; John T. Jones, December 2, 1842 ; Mark W.
Alexander, ; George W. Beasley, September
6, 1855; C. W. Adams, November 2, 1852; Thomas
B. Hanley, ; E. C. Bronough, August 25,
1858; O. H. Gates, March 3, 1859; E. C. Bronough,
August 23, 1860; Jesse M. Houks, September 17,
1865; John E. Bennett, July 23, 1868; C. C. Wat-
ers, February 23, 1871 ; M. L. Stephenson, March
24, 1871; W. H. H. Clayton, March 10, 1873; J.
N. Cypert, October 31, 1874; M. T. Saunders,
October 30, 1882. Prosecuting attorneys: W'. S.
Mosley, November 14, 1840; A. J. Greer, Novem-
ber 9, 1841; S. S. Tucker, January 20, 1840;
Alonzo Thomas, August 5, 1842; W. N. Stanton,
December 2, 1842; N. M. Foster, December 4,
1843; A. H. Ringo, March 2, 1849; H. A. Bad-
ham, March 12, 1851; L. L. Mack, September
6. 1855; S. W. Childress, August 30, 1856; Lin-
coln Featherstone, August 23, 1860; Z. P. H Farr,
December 1, 1862; B. C. Brown, January 7, 1865;
P. O. Thweat, October 15, 1866; C. B. Fitzpatrick,
March 16, 1871: W. H. H. Clayton, March 23,
1871; Eugene Stephenson, April 28, 1873; C. A.
Otey, Octobei- 31, 1874; D. D. Leach, October 13,
1876; P. D. McCulloch (three terms); Greenfield
Quarles, October 30, 1884; S. Brundridge, October
30, 1886.
Judges of the Second circuit: Isaac Baker,
November 23, 1840; John C. Murray, August 18,
1851; W. H. Sutton, January 11, 1845; John C.
Murray, August 22, 1858; Josiah Gould, Febru-
ary 26, 1849; W. M. Harrison, May 17, 1865;
T. F. Sorrells, August 22, 1853; W. C. Hazeldine,
April 14, 1871; J. F. Lowery, December 12,
1863; L. L. Mack, October 31, 1874; William
Story, July 23, 1868; W. F. Henderson, April 26,
1874; J. G. Frierson, October 31, 1882; W. A.
Case, vice Frierson, deceased, March 17, 1884,
elected September 1, 1884; J. E. Riddick, Oc-
tober 30, 1886. Prosecuting attorneys: John S.
Roane, November 15, 1840; Samuel Wooly, Sep-
tember 19, 1842; J. W. Bocage, November 20,
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
71
1843; S. B. Jones, April 20, 1846; T. F. Sorrells,
February 26, 1849; W. P. Grace, August 22,
1853; S. F. Arnett, August 23, 1856; D. W.
Carroll, August 30, I860: C. C. Godden, May 17,
1865; W. F. Slemmons, October 15, 1866; D.
D. Leach, December 16, 1868; R. H. Black, May
6, 1873; J. E. Riddick, October 13, 1876; W. A.
Gate, October U, 1878; E. F. Brown, May 5,
1870; W. B. Edringtou (four terms), October 30,
1880; J. D. Block, October, 1888.
Judges of the Third circuit: Thomas Johnson,
November 13, 1840; William Conway, November
15, 1844; W. C. Scott, December 11, 1846; R.
H. Nealy, February 28,1851; W. C. Bevins, August
28, 1856; W. R. Cain, August 23, 1860; L. L.
Mack, March 15, 1866; Elisha Baxter, July 23,
1868; James W. Butler. March 10, 1873; William
Byers, October 30, 1874; R. H. Powell (three
terms), October 30, 1882; J. W. Butler, May, 1887.
Prosecuting attorneys : N. Haggard, November 30,
1840; S. S. Tucker, January 20, 1842; S. H.
Hempstead, February, 1842; A. R. Porter, Decerc-
ber 2, 1842; S. C.Walker, December 2, 1846; J. H.
Byers, March 5, 1849; W. K. Patterson, August
30, 1856; F. W. Desha, August 30, 1860; L. L.
Mack, July 8, 1861; T. J. Ratcliff, July 9, 1865;
M. D. Baber, October 15, 1866; W. A. Inman,
December 8, 1868; J. L. Abernathy, October 31,
1874; Charles Coffin, October 14, 1878; M. N.
Dyer (two terms), October 30, 1882; W. B. Padgett,
October 30, 1886; J. L. Abernathy, October, 1888.
Judges of the Fourth circuit: J. M. Hoge,
November 13, 1840; S. G. Sneed, November 18,
1844; A. B. Greenwood, March 3, 1851; F. I.
Batson, August 20, 1853; J. M. Wilson, Febru-
ary 21, 1859; J. J. Green, August 23, 1860; Y.
B. Sheppard, May 9, 1863; Thomas Boles,
August 3, 1865; W. N. May, April 24, 1868;
M. L. Stephenson, July 23, 1868; C. B. Fitz-
patrick, March 23, 1871; J. Huckleberry, April
10, 1872; J. M. Pittman, October 31, 1874; J. H.
Berry, October 21, 1878; J. M. Pittman (three
terms), October 31, 1882. Prosecuting attorneys:
Alfred M. Wilson, November 13, 1840; A. B.
Greenwood, January 4, 1845; H. F. Thomasson,
September 6, 1853; Lafayette Gregg, August 23,
1856; B. J. Brown, December 1, 1862; J. E.
Cravens, January 7, 1865; Squire Boon, October
15, 1866; Elias Harrell, August 11, 1868; S. W.
Peel, April 26, 1873; E. I. Stirman, October 13,
1876; H. A. Dinsmore (throe terms), October 14,
1878; J. Frank Wilson, October 30, 1884; J. W.
Walker, October 30, 1866; S. M. Johnson, Octo-
ber 30, 1888.
Judges of the Fifth circuit: J. J. Clendenin,
December 28, 1840; W. H. Field, December 24,
1846; J. J. Clendenin, September 6, 1854; Liberty
Bartlett, November 12, 1854; E. D. Ham, July 23,
1868; Benton J. Brown, September 30, 1874; W.
W. Mansfield, October 31, 1874; Thomas W.
Pound, September 9, 1878; W. D. Jacoway, Oc-
tober 31, 1878; G. S. Cunningham (three terms),
October 31, 1882. Prosecuting attorneys: R. W.
Johnson, December 29, 1840; George C. Watkins,
January 11, 1845; J. J. Clendenin, February 17,
1849, to 1854; J. L. Hollowell, September 8, 1858,
to 1860; Sam W. Williams, May 10, 1860; Pleas-
ant Jordan, September 7, 1861; Sam W. Williams,
July 6, 1863; John Whytock, December 19, 1865;
R. H. Dedman, October 15, 1866; N. J. Temple,
August 15, 1868; Arch Young, August 24, 1872;
Thomas Barnes, April 23, 1873; J. P. Byers, Oc-
tober 31, 1873; A. S. McKennon, October 14,
1878; J. G. Wallace (two terms), October 31,
1882; H. S. Carter, October 30, 1886.
Sixth circuit — judges: William Conway, De-
cember 19, 1840; John Field, February 3, 1843;
George Conway, August 1, 1844; John Quillin,
March 2, 1849; Thomas Hubbard, August 22,
1854; A. B. Smith, February 7, 1850; Shelton Wat-
son, September 26, 1858; Len B. Green, April 5,
1858; A. B. Williams, January 28, 1865; J. T.
Elliott, October 2, 1865; J. J. Clendenin, October
31, 1874; J. W. Martin, October 31, 1878; F. T.
Vaughan, October 31, 1882; J. W. Martin, Octo-
ber 30, 18^6. Prosecuting attorneys: G. D. Roys-
ton, November 11, 1840; O. F. Rainy, June 12,
1843; Isaac T. Tupper, January 18, 1844; A. W.
Blevins, January 11, 1847; E. A. Warner, March
3, 1851; Orville Jennings, August 23, 1853; E.
W. Gantt, August 22, 1854; James K. Young,
August 30, 1860; Robert Carrigan, September 13,
72
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
1865; J. F. Ritchie, October 15, 1866; T. B. Gib-
son, January 11, 1868; Charles C. Reid, Jr., April
30, 1871; F. T. Vaughan. September 18. 1876;
T. C. Trimble, September 30, 1878; F. T. Vaughan,
September 30, 1880; T. C. Trimble, October 31,
1882; R. J. Lea, October 80, 1884; Gray Carroll,
October 30, 1886; R. J. Lea, October 30, 1888.
Seventh circuit — judges: R. C. S. Brown, 1840;
W. W. Floyd, November 30, 1846. (December
20, 1849, the State was re-districted into six cir-
cuits. Hence this was abolished for the time.)
William Byers, July 8, 1861; R. H. Powell, May
11, 1866; John Whytock, July 23, 1868; J. J.
Clendenin, May 29, 1874; Jabez M. Smith, Oc-
tober 31, 1874; J. P. Henderson (three terms), Oc-
tober 31, 1882. Prosecuting attorneys: John M.
Wilson, November 20, 1840; J. M. Tebbetts. De-
cember 5, 1844; Elisha Baxter, December 7, 1861;
W. B. Padgett, August 29, 1865; W. R. Goody.
Oqtober 15, 1866; E. W. Gantt, July 31, 1868;
J. M. Harrell, May 5, 1873; M. J. Henderson,
October 31, 1874; James B. Wood, October 14,
1878; J. P. Henderson (three terms), October 31,
1882; W. H. Martin, October 30, 1888.
Eighth circuit — judges: C. C. Scott, December
2, 1846; William Davis, July 3, 1848 (abolished
December 20, 1849); James D. Walker, July 25,
1861; Elias Harrell, May 8, 1865; William Story,
March 27, 1867; E. J. Earle, July 23, 1868; T. G.
T. Steele, February 23, 1873; L. J. Joyner, Octo-
ber 31, 1874; H. B. Stuart, October 31, 1878;
R. D. Hearn, October 30, 1886. Prosecuting attor-
neys: Richard Lyons, February 5, 1847; N. \V. Pat-
terson, October 25, 1865; C. G. Reagan. January
7, 1865; J. C. Pratt, July 23, 1868; T. M. Gun-
ter, October 15, 1866; Duane Thompson, January
4, 1874; George A. Kingston, July 26. 1871; j'
D. McCabe, October 31, 1874; J. H. Howard, April
26, 1873; Rufus D. Hearn (three terms), July 6,
1874; Lafayette Gregg, November 13, 1862; W.
M. Green (three terms), October 30, 1884.
Ninth circuit— judges: H. B. Stuart, Novem-
ber 28, 1862; W. N. Hargrave, , 1865; E. J.
Searle, February 25, 1867; G. W. McCowan, July
23, 1868; J.T. Elliott, April 26, 1873; J. K. Young,
October 31, 1874; C. F. Mitchell, October 31, 1882;
L. A. Byrne, November 4, 1884; A. B. Williams,
vice Mitchell, resigned, September 10, 1884; C. E.
Mitchell, October 30, 1886. Prosecuting attorneys:
A. J. Temple, July 8, 1861; A. T Craycraft,
January 7, 1865; E. J. Searle, February 19, 1866;
R. C. Parker, October 15, 1866; N. J. Temple,
January 20, 1867; J. R. Page, January 9, 1869;
J. M. Bradley, April 26, 1873; Dan W. Jones,
October 31, 1874; B. W. Johnson, October 13,
1876; John Cook. October 14, 1880; T. F. Web-
ber (four terms), October 31, 1882.
Judges of the Tenth circuit: H. P. Morse,
July 23, 1868; D. W Carroll, October 28, 1874;
T. F. Sorrells, October 31, 1874; J. M. Bradley,
October 30, 1882; C. D. Wood, October 30. 1886.
Prosecuting attorneys: J. McL. Barton, March
29, 1869; H. King White, April 20, 1871; M. Mc-
Gehee, April 29, 1873; J. C. Barrow, October 31,
1874; C. D. Woods, October 30, 1882; M. L.
Hawkins, vice Woods, October 10, 1886; R. C.
Fuller, October 30, 1888.
Eleventh circuit — judges: J. W. Fox, April
30, 1873; H. N. Button, July 24, 1874; John A.
Williams, October 31, 1874; X. J. Pindall, Octo-
ber 31, 1878; J. A. Williams (two terms), October
30,1882. Prosecuting attorneys- H. M. McVeigh,
April 26, 1873; Z. L. Wise, October 31, 1874; T.
B. Martin, October 10, 1878; J. M. Elliott (five
terms), October 10, 1880.
Twelfth circuit — judges: P. C. Dooley, April
26, 1873; J. H. Rogers, April 20, 1877; R. B.
Rutherford, October 2, 1882; John S. Little, Octo-
ber 20, 1886. Prosecuting attorneys: D. D. Leach,
April 26, 1873; John S. Little (three terms), April
2, 1877; A. C. Lewers (two terms), September 20,
1884; J. B. McDonough, October 30, 1888.
Thirteenth circuit — judges: M. D. Kent, April
26, 1873; B. F. Askew, October 30, 1882; C. W.
Smith, October 30, 1886. Prosecuting attorneys:
W. C. Langford, April 26, 1873; W. F. Wallace,
June 5, 1883; H. P. Snead (three terms), Octo-
ber 30, 1884.
Fourteenth circuit — judges: George A. King-
ston, April 26, 1873; R. H. Powell, May, 1887.
Prosecuting attorneys: Duane Thompson, April
26, 1873; De Ross Bailey, May, 1887.
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
73
L. D. Belden was appointed judge of the Fif-
teenth circuit April 26, 1873, the prosecuting at-
torney being G. G. Lotta, elected April 23, 1873.
Sixteenth circuit — judge: Elisha Mears, April
26, 1878. Prosecuting attorneys: H. N. Withers,
September 27, 1873; V. B. Shepard, April 30,
1874.
By an act of April 16, 1873, the State was di-
vided into sixteen judicial circuits, but two years
later a reduction to eleven in number was made.
siawiK IX.
TiiE Late Civil War— Analytical View of the Troublous Times— Passage of the Ordinance of
.Secession — The Call to Arms- The First Troops to Take the Field— Invasion of the State
BY the Federal Army — Sketches of the Regiments — Xames of Officers— Outline of
Field Operations— Claibourne and Yell— Extracts from Private Memo-
randa—Evacuation of the State— Re-Occupation — The War of 1812—
The Mexican War— Standard of American Generalship.
The cannon's hush'd! nor drum uor clarion sound;
Helmet and hauberk gleam upon the ground;
Horsemen and horse lie weltering in their gore;
Patriots are dead, and heroes dare no more;
While solemnly the moonlight shrouds the plain.
And lights the lurid features of the slain. — Montgomery.
RKANSAS was not among
the States that may be call-
ed leaders in inaugurating
the late war. It only pass-
ed a secession ordinance
May 6, 1861, nearly a
j"^ month after hostilities had
commenced, and Lincoln had issued
his call for 75,000 ninety-day troops
' ' to put down the rebellion. ' ' The re-
luctance with which the State finally
joined its sister States is manifested
by the almost unanimous refusal of
the State convention, which met in
March, 1861 — the day Lincoln was in-
augurated — and nearly linanimously voted down
secession and passed a series of conservative resolu-
tions, looking to a national convention to settle in
some waj' the vexed question of slavery, and then
voting a recess of the convention. When this
re-assembled war was upon the country, and the
ordinance of secession was passed, only, however,
after full discussion, pro and con. There was
but one vote against secession finally, and that was
given by Isaac Murphy — afterward the military
governor of Arkansas.
Local authorities received instructions to arm
and equip forty regiments of State troops. The
ruling minds of the State were averse to war,
and resisted it until they were forced into the po-
sition of siding with their neighbors or with the
Union cause. In the South, as in the North,
there were inconsiderate hot-heads, who simply
wanted war for war's sake — full of false pretexts,
but eager for war with or without a pretext. These
extremists of each party were, unconsciously, per-
74
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
haps, but in fact, the two blades of the pair of
scissors, to cut asunder the ties of the Union of
States. Slavery, possibly not directly the cause of
the war, was the handiest pretext seized upon at
the time, with such disastrous results. In the dis-
pensations of heaven, had the fanatics of the North
and the Hre-eaters of the South been hung across
the clothes-line, as a boy sometimes hangs cats,
and left in holy peace to fight it out, what a bless-
ing for mankind it would have been!
The history of the late war cannot yet be writ-
ten. Its most profound effects are not yet evolved.
The actual fighting ceased nearly a generation ago,
and the cruel strife is spoken of as over. It is the
effects that true history observes. The chronicler
records the dates and statistics, and files these
away for the future historian. It is highly prob-
able that there is no similar period in history
where the truth will be so distorted 'as by him
who tells ' ' the story of the war. ' '
Anyone can begin to see that there are many
things now that were unknown before the war.
Great changes are still being worked out, and
whether or not yet greater ones are to come, no one
knows. The abolitionists thirty years ago hated
the slave owners, — -the slave holders loved slavery.
The former thought to forever end slavery on this
continent by liberating the slaves, and now the
once alarmed slave owner has discovered that the
great benefits of the abolition of slavery have been
to the whites far more than to the blacks.
There is little idea of what the real historian
one hundred years from now will be compelled to
say of these ' ' blessed times. ' ' He will most prob-
ably smile in pity upon all this self-laudation and
wild boast. If men could have known the effects
to follow in all the important movements of peo-
ples, it is highly probable there would have been no
civil war. Those who ' ' sectioiially hated ' ' may
sleep quietly in their graves, because they died
unconscious as to whether their supposed bloody
revenge, driven hurtling at the enemy, was a bullet
or a boomerang.
The Southern individual may look with envy to
the pension fund now being poured out in North-
ern States, while, instead of this, he should only
remember that the Southern soldier is making his
way unaided in the world. It should not be for-
gotten that the rapid development of the South is
sadly in want of the constant labor of thousands of
immigrants, and that the New South is just entering
upon a period of surprising and unexampled pros-
perity, which certainly must continue.
In Arkansas, as in Illinois, when Fort Sumter
was fired on, instantly there was a storm of excite-
ment to "let slip the dogs of war." Action took
the place of argument. The best men in the com-
munity, those who had bo long talked and pleaded
against war, closed their mouths, and with sore
hearts turned their eyes away from the sad outlook.
The young and the inconsiderate seized the power
to rule, and (though they knew it not) to ruin.
Bells were rung, drums were beaten, and fifes made
strident martial music, and people rushed into the
streets. Open air meetings for the Confederate
cause gathered, and songs and speeches inflamed
the wildest passions of men. Poor men ! they
little recked the cruel fate into which they were
plunging their country — not only themselves, but
generations to come. A fifer and drummer march-
ing along the streets, making harsh and discordant
noises, were soon followed by crowds of men,
women and children. Volunteers were called for
by embryo captains, and from these crowds were
soon recruited sq^^ads to be crystallized into armies
with heavy tramp and flying banners — the noisy
prologue to one of the bloodiest tragedies on which
time has ever rung up the curtain.
The first ofiicial action of the State was that
authorizing the raising and equipping of seven
regiments. These were soon ready to report with
full ranks. Seven regiments ! Even after the
war was well on foot, men were forming companies
in hot haste, in fear that before they could reach
the field of action the war would be over. And
after they were mustered in and at their respective
rendezvous, without uniforms and with sticks for
guns, learning the rudiments of drill, they were
restless, troubled seriously with the fear that they
would never see or feel the glory of battle. The
youths of the State had rushed to the recruiting sta-
tions with the eager thoughtlessness with which
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
they would have put down their names for picnic,
hunting or tishing expeditions, and the wild delights
of a season of camp life. Perhaps to some came
indistinct ideas of winning glory on the field and a
triumj)hant return home, to be met by the happy
smiles of a people saved — when the bells would
ring and flowers be strewn in the highway.
The seven regiments first authorized by the
military board (the board consisting of the gov-
ernor. Col. Sam W. Williams and Col. B. C. Tot-
ten) had hardly been formed when more soldiers
were wanted. Ten additional regiments were
authorized, and of the ten seven were recruited
and organized. Fourteen infantry regiments be
sides the cavalry and artillery had been a strong
demand on the people, but the calls for men were
increased. By voluntary enlistments twenty-one
infantry regiments were finally in the field. In-
cluding cavalry and artillery, Arkansas had about
25,000 volunteer soldiery.
Then came the remorseless conscription. The
glamour of soldiering was now all gone. Ragged,
hungry, wounded and worn with hard marches,
men had suffered the touch of the hand of the
angel of destruction. The relentless conscripting
went on. The ntimber of years before old age
exempted was lengthened, and the age of youth
exempting was shortened, until as said by Gen.
Grant, they were ' ' robbing the cradle and the
grave ' ' to recruit their decimated ranks in the
army.
There are no records now by which can be told
the number of men Arkansas had in the Confeder-
ate army, but it is supposed by those best informed
to have had nearly 40,000. In addition to this the
State furnished soldiers to the Union army. In
the history of wars it is doubtful if there is anything
to exceed this in the heroic sacrifices of any people.
The original seven regiments were authorized
as the first exuberant war expression of the State.
They were State troops, armed and equipped by
the State; but the fact is that the poorest men went
into the army at their individual expense and armed
and equipped themselves. This was the rule — not
by men only who were fighting for their slave
property, but largely by men who had never owned
or expected to own a slave. When the Union army
under Gen. Curtis was bearing down to invade Ar-
kansas, ten more regiments were authorized and
responded to this call, and seven additional regi-
ments were raised and mustered into the State's
service.
A military board had been provided for, con-
sisting of three men, the governor and two advis-
ors, who had a general supervision in organizing
and equipping the army.
The first regiment raised in the State is known
as the Pat Cleburne regiment. Patrick A. Cleburne,
colonel, was soon made a general, and took his
brigade east of the Mississippi River. The gal-
lant and dashing leader was killed in the battle of
Franklin, November 30, 1864. At the first call
to arms he raised a company and named it the Yell
Rifles, of which he was first cajatain, and on the
formation of the first regiment he became colonel,
rising up and up by rapid promotions to a major-
generalship.
The names of Yell and Pat Cleburne are en-
twined closely in the hearts of the people of Arkan-
sas. Yell was killed at the bloody battle of Buena
Vista, Mexico, at the head of his charging column.
The military lives and deaths of the two men were
much alike. Their names and fames are secure in
history. There is a touch of romance about Pat
Cleburne's life in Arkansas. A Tipperary boy, of
an excellent family, born in 1828, he had, when not
more than sixteen years of age, joined the English
army, where he was for more than a year before his
whereabouts became known. His friends secured
his release from the army, when he at once bade
adieu to his native land and sailed for America.
Stopping in 1849, a short time in Cincinnati, he
was for a while a drug clerk. In 1859 he came
to Helena, Ark. , and engaged here also as a pre-
scription clerk, in the meantime reading law; he
was made a licensed attorney in 1856. In the
bloody street affray soon after, between Hindman
and Dorsey Rice, he was dra\yn into the fi-acas and
was shot through the body by a brother of Rice's,
who came upon the ground during the melt5e. The
latter noticed the encounter, and seeing that Cle-
burne stood at one side, pistol in hand, fired. On
76
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
turning to see who had shot him, Cleburne saw
James Marriott, a brother-in-law of Dorsey Eice,
with pistol in hand, and under the mistake that
he was the assailant, shot him dead. Cleburne
lingered a long time from his wound but finally
recovered.
In the yellow fever scourge in Helena, in 1855,
he was at one time about the only well person re-
maining to care for the sick and dying. He was a
strict member of the church and for some years a
vestryman in St. John's Episcopal Church, Helena.
He was engaged to wed Miss Tarleton, of Mobile,
when he fell upon the battle field, and the dead
soldier lay upon the ground, with his arms folded
over his breast, as if even in death he would pro-
tect the sacred tokens of love that he wore next his
heart.
The military board elected two brigadier-gen-
erals — James Yell and N. B. Pierce. The latter
was sent to Northwestern Arkansas, where was
fought the first battle on Arkansas soil — Pea Ridge,
or as it is better known in the South, Elkhorn.
This was a severe engagement, and a decisive one.
There is yet some confusion in referring to the
respective numbers of the Arkansas regiments.
Gen. Pierce, supposing he had full power, gave
numbers Third, Fourth and Fifth to what the
board, the proper and only authority, designated
as numbers Second, Third and Fourth. The fol-
lowing shows the board's numbering and names
of the colonels :
First, Col. P. H. Cleburne; Second, Col.
Gratiot; Third, Col. Dockery; Fourth, Col. Davis
Walker; Fifth, Col. D. C. Cross; Sixth, Col. Lyon;
Seventh, Col. Shaver; Eighth, Col. W. K. Patter-
son; Ninth, Col. John Roane; Tenth, Col. T. D.
Merrick; Eleventh, Col. Jabez M. Smith; Twelfth,
Col. E. W.Gantt; Thirteenth, Col. J. C. Tappan;
Fourteenth, Col. W. C. Mitchell, (never com-
pleted); Fifteenth, Col. Dawson; Seventeenth, Col.
G. W. Lamar, Lieut. -Col. Sam W. Williams.
In the scraps of records now to be found there
are mentioned as the different arms in the Confed-
erate service of Arkansas men, in addition to those
above given, the following; Light artillery. Hill's;
batteries, Blocher's, Brown's, Etter's, Hughey's,
Marshall's and West's; cavalry battalions, Chris-
man's, Crawford's, Hill's, Witherspoon's; detached
companies. Brown's, Coarser' s, Desha's, Ranger's,
Fitzwilliam's, Miller's and Palmer's; regiments,
Carroll's, Dobbins', Newton's; infantry, regiments
from one to thirty-nine, inclusive.
Four regiments of infantry of Federal recruits
were raised in Arkansas, the First commanded by
Col. M. La Rue Harrison; the Fourth by Elisha
Baxter. The First Arkansas Light Artillery was
150 strong. The Arkansas Infantry Brigade was
under command of Col. James M. True. August
5, 1863, Adj't-Gen. Thomas made a trip to the
Southwest for the purpose of gathering in all the
negroes possible by scouting bands, and to enlist
the able bodied men. The First Arkansas Battery
was commanded by Capt. Dent D. Stark, and the
First Arkansas Cavalry by Maj. J. J. Johnson.
The Second Arkansas Cavalry is mentioned.
Lieut. -Col. E. J. Searle, authorized to raise the
Third Arkansas Cavalry, reported 400 strong.
The Foiu'th Arkansas Cavalry comprised nine
companies, commanded by Capt. W. A. Martin.
The Second and Third Arkansas colored in-
fantry regiments are mentioned, in addition to the
Second and Third white regiments.
In the spring of 1S61, the Richmond govern-
ment authorized Col. T. B. Flournoy to raise a reg-
iment. It was collected in and about Little Rock
and Col. Fagan was elected commander. This
command went to Virginia. Gen. Churchill organ-
ized the first regiment of cavalry, with rendezvous
at Little Rock. Gen. T. C. Hindman organized
Hindman's Legion. It consisted of infantry and
cavalry and had fifteen companies. He took his
command east of the river. Under the direction of
the military board Col. Rosey Carroll's regiment
of cavalry was raised. The Second Arkansas Reg-
iment of Mounted Infantry was mustered at Osage
Springs, by Col. Dandridge McRea. James Mcin-
tosh became colonel and Capt. H. H. Brown, major.
J. P. Eagle was first lieutenant- colonel and after-
ward colonel. Col. Mcintosh was killed at Pea
Ridge, but had been promoted a brigadier- general
a few days before his death.
The absence of war archives from the State,
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
the most of them that were preserved until after
the war being now in Washington, and the pass-
ing away of so many of the prominent participants,
and a common fault of human memory, make it
well-nigh impossible to gather for permanent form
any satisfactory roster of the different Confederate
commands or the order of their organization. No
Arkansan so far, which is much to be regretted,
has attempted to write a history of the State in
the civil struggle.
Gov. J. P. Eagle happened to keep dupli-
cates of certain reports he made while in the ser-
vice, and discovered them recently where they had
been laid away and forgotten among old papers.
Fortunately when he made the reports the idea
occurred to him to keep a copy for himself, that
some day he might look over them and be inter-
ested.
' ' This is a list of the killed and wounded in my
regiment," he remarked, "the Second Arkansas,
from May 8 to August 31, 1864, and the other is a
report of the same from November 26, 1864, to
March 21, 1865."
The Second Arkansas at the beginning of the
war was a mounted regiment, commanded by Col.
James Mcintosh. It was dismounted early in the
conflict. Col. Mcintosh was promoted to the rank
of brigadier-general in the spring of 1862. He
led his brigade bravely into the heaviest fighting
at the battle of Elkhorn (Pea Ridge), where he
was killed. He was succeeded by Col. Embry,
who was soon after succeeded by Col. Flannagin,
afterwards the "War Governor" of Arkansas.
Flannagin was succeeded by Col. James William-
son^ who lost a leg at the battle of Resaca, Ga. ,
May 14, 1864. Col. J. T. Smith then became
colonel. He was killed July 28 following, in the
tight at Lick Skillet Road, and J. P. Eagle, now
governor of Arkansas, became colonel. Col.
Eagle had been wounded at Moore' s Mills, and at
the time of his promotion was not with the famous
regiment. He remained in command until the
regiment was consolidated with other regiments
and the whole formed into one regiment, with Col.
H. G. Bunn commanding. Gov. Eagle became
lieutenant-colonel and George Wells, major.
The battle of Elkhorn cheeked the advance of
Curtis' army into Arkansas, and the Federals re-
mained hovering in the southwest of Missouri and
northwest of Arkansas for some time. Immedi-
ately after the tight Van Dorn's forces were with-
drawn and taken east of the Mississipjai to resist
the Federal advance down the river to Vieksburg.
Gen. T. C. Hindman returned and took command
of the Confederates in Arkansas and established
headquarters at Little Rock and slightly fortified
the place.
Gen. Curtis then moved with the Federal army
down the valley of White River, acting in con-
jimction with the river fleet, and when he reached
Cotton Plant a flank attack was made on his army
and the battle of Cotton Plant was fought. The
Confederates were repulsed, and Curtis moved on
and took possession of Helena, the Confederates
retiring. Northern and Northeastern Arkansas
were then ia the possession of the Union army.
The Federals were in the possession of the Missis-
sippi down to a point just above Vieksburg. The
Confederates made a futile effort to re-capture
Helena, July 4, 1863, but heavy rains, swollen
streams and impassable roads thwarted every
move.
June 2, 1862, Gov. Rector issued the following:
"It being essential that but one military organization
shall exist within the Trans-Mississippi department, all
Arkansas troops are hereby transferred to the Confeder-
ate service." (Signed) H. M. Rector,
Gov. & Prest. Mil. Board.
The authorities at Richmond, as well as in the
Trans- Mississippi district, were anxiously awaiting
news of the war steamer, "Arkansas," then build-
ing up the mouth of Red River. Jane 2, 1862>
she steamed out of that river and passed the fleet
girarding the river for the purpose of capturing the
rebel steamer. The attempt and success in run-
ning the fiery gauntlet was one of the most exciting
scenes ever witnessed on western rivers. Proudly
the vessel kept on her course, sending volleys into
every vessel to the right and left, and at nearly
every turn of her wheels encountering new enemies.
A Federal surgeon of the Union fleet said that
wonderful trip of the "Arkansas" reminded him
78
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
of the Irishman's advice on going into the "free
fight" — "wherever you see a head hit it." The
Confederate reports say two Federal gun-boats
were captured and others disabled.
August 7, following, the ' 'Arkansas, ' ' when five
miles above Baton Rouge on her way down the
river, again encountered Federal gun-boats. Her
machinery being disabled, after she had fought
long and well, her crew "blew her up, and all
escaped. ' '
January 3, 1863 Gen. J. M. Schofleld wrote to
Gen. Curtis, from Fayetteville, Ark. : ' ' The oper-
ations of the army since I left it have been a series
of blunders, from which it narrowly escaped dis-
aster * * At Prairie Grove (fought in Decem-
ber, 1862) Blunt and Herron were badly beaten in
detail and owed their escape to a false report of
my arrival with re-enforcements." It now is
revealed that Hindman did not know the extent
of his victory, but supjjosed he was about to be
overwhelmed by the enemy. Thus the two armies
were as secretly as possible running away from
each other.
July 13, 1863, Gen. E. Kivby Smith wrote from
Shreveport, headquarters of the Trans-Mississippi
district, to Govs. Thomas C. Reynolds, F. R. Lub-
bock, H. Flannagin and Thomas O. Moore, calling
on these, as the heads of their respective States, to
meet him at Marshall, Tex., August 15, following:
"I have attempted to impartially survey the field
of my labor. * * I found on my arrival the
headquarters of Arkansas district at Little
Rock. * * Vicksburg has fallen. The enemy
possesses the key to this department. * * The
possession of the Mississippi River by the enemy
cuts off this department from all communication
with Richmond, consequently we must be self-
sustaining, and self-reliant in every respect. * *
With God's help and yours I will cheerfully
grapple with the difficulties that surround us."' etc.
This was a gloomy but a correct view of the
situation west of the Mississippi River after the
fall of Vicksburg.
On January 11, 1863, from Helena, Gen. Fiske
reported to "Washington : ' ' Found Gorman actively
organizing expedition to go up White River to
co-operate with Gen. McClernand on Arkansas
River. Twenty-five transports are waiting the
signal to start. ' '
F?i-om ' ' Prairie Landing, twenty-five miles up
Arkansas, January 13, 1863," Amos F. Eno, sec-
retary pro tern of Arkansas and adjutant-general,
telegraphed Staunton: " Left Helena on 11th, and
took with me books and papers of office of military
government of Arkansas. ' '
January 14, 1863, the Federals captured St.
Charles, the Confederates evacuating the day before.
January 18, Gen. W. A. Gorman occupied
Devall's Bluff, which the Confederates had also
evacuated.
These captures and evacuations were the pre-
liminary movements looking toward Little Rock,
the Federals clearing out the small outposts, and
the Confederates gathering in their forces.
On August 5, 1863, Gen. Frederick Steele
"assumed the command of the army to take the
field from Helena, and advance upon Little Rock. ' '
In his order for movement mention is made of
the following: First division — cavalry under
command of Gen. J. W. Davidson; Second division
—Eighteenth, Forty-third, Fifty-fourth, Sixty-
fii'st. One Hundred and Sixth, and One Hundred
and Twenty-sixth regiments, Illinois Infantry;
Twelfth Michigan, Twenty-second Ohio, Twenty
seventh Wisconsin, Third Minnesota, Fortieth
Iowa and Forty-third Indiana Infantry regiments;
Third division — Twenty-ninth, Thirty-third and
Thirty- sixth Iowa, Forty-third Indiana, Twenty-
eighth Wisconsin, and Seventy-first Ohio Infantry
regiments; and the Fifth Kansas, First Indiana
Cavalry, and a brigade under Col. Powell Clayton.
Four batteries of field pieces — five wagons to each
regiment; 160 rounds of ammunition, 40 rounds to
each cartridge-box; 400 rounds to each piece of
artillery, and sixty days' rations for the whole
army, were the supplies granted these forces.
Gen. Steele was occupied in the expedition
from Helena to Little Rock, from August 5 to Sep-
tember 10. The cavalry under Gen. Davidson
had to scour the country to the right and left as
they made their slow advance. Twelve miles east
of Little Rock, at Bayou Meta bridge, was a heavy
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
skirmish, indeed, a regular battle, being the first
serious effort to check the Federal advance upon
the capital. Again there was heavy fighting six
miles east of Little Rock, at v?hat is now the
Brugman place. Here Confederate Col. Coffee,
of Texas, was killed. This was the last stand
made in defense of the city, and in a short time
Davidson's cavalry appeared in Argenta, and
trained their field pieces on the city, and fired a
few shots, when the place was sui-rendered by the
civil authorities, September 10, 1863. The Con-
federates had evacuated but a few hours before
the Federal cavalry were galloping through the
streets, and pjsting sentinels here and there.
There was no confusion, no disorder, and none
of the usual crimes of war under similar circum-
stances. In an hour after Gen. Steele was in
possession of the city he had it under strict con-
trol, and order prevailed. Gen. Reynolds was put
in command of Little Rock.*
The Confederates wisely retreated to Arkadel-
phia. They were pursued by the Federals as far
as Malvern, but no captures were made and no
heavy skirmishing occurred.
It is said that Price evacuated Little Rock un-
der the impression that his force was far inferior
to that of Gen. Steele. Those who were Confeder-
ate officers and in Little Rock now believe that his
force was equal at least in numbers to Steele's.
*Abstract from consolidated tri-monthly report of the
Army of Arkansas, Maj.-Gen. Frederick Steele command-
ing, for September 10. 1863; beadquartevs, Little Rock:
First Division (Davidson)
Second Division lEngleiuannl..
Third Divi^ion(Rice)
Infantry Brigade iTruet
Cavalry Brigade (Clayton)
Artillery (Hayden)
Cavalry escort (McLean)
Total..
^
g
Present for
£
"ai ■
duty.
0.
1
2
■
a>
ff-3
S
a
M
m'*
-5!
<
200
3,328
5,372
7,735
HO
2,047
2,990
6,885
123
1,683
2,:il6
4,007
89
1,796
2,250
2,825
30
445
736
1,200
15
495
607
844
4
64
91
12-
619
9,854
14,362
23,620
Gen Price had not made a mistake of the comparative
strength of the two armies. The commissary informs
me that on the morning of the evacuation he issued 8,000
rations — full number.
They think that Price had based his idea of the
enemy's numbers by allowing the usual propor-
tion of armies of infantry and artillery to cavalry.
They believe also that the Confederates at Little
Rock at the evacuation had between 1 1 , 000 and
r2, 000 men present — not the number for duty —
basing this upon the number of rations issued
that day.
After the occujjation of Little Rock the Federals
dominated all that portion of the State north and
east of the Arkansas River, and yet their actual
occupied posts were the only grounds over which
Confederate rangers were not frequently roving
with impunity.
The Confederates exercised ruling power all
south and west of the Ouachita River, and for quite
a while the territory between the Arkansas and
Ouachita Rivers was a kind of "No Man's Land"
so far as the armies were concerned.
Steele early in 1864, having been re-enforced,
began to move on Arkadelphia. Price retreated to
Camden, where the Confederates had several fac-
tories for the manufacture of war materials.
Price made a stand against Steele and fought
the battle of Prairie D'Ann, but there was noth-
ing decisive in this engagement, although it was
a severe one. Price withdrew and fell back on
Rondo, in the southwest corner of the State.
In the meantime Banks' exjiedition was as-
cending Red River, the plan being to catch Price
between Banks and Steele, and destroy the Con-
federate army. Price and Gen. Dick Taylor did
not wait for Banks, but met and overwhelmingly
defeated him. Having defeated Banks, they turned
and gave Steele battle at Jenkins' Ferry, and de-
feated him. This was the great and decisive bat-
tle of the Trans-Mississippi district.
Steele retreated and fell back on Little Rock,
his superior generalship being shown in extricat-
ing his badly crippled army and saving it on the
withdrawal.
The Federal expeditions were well planned for
"bagging" the whole Confederate Trans-Mississippi
army, but the vicissitudes of war ordained other-
wise. Banks' expedition and its overwhelming mis-
fortunes ruined him as a military man throughout
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
the North, while the brilliant successes of Price
raised the hopes of the Confederacy. Some, how-
ever, still criticise.
Price failed to follow up his advantage and
either destroy or capture Steele's entire army.
Had he fully known the condition of affairs at
Richmond possibly he might have adopted that
course. The Federals were confined within their
fortified posts and Confederate bands were again
scouring over the State.
Price, losing no time, then started on his raid
back into Missouri to carry out his long cherished
hope of re-possessing that State. The history of
that raid and the dissolution and ent^ of the Con-
federacy are a familiar part of the country's
history.
Other wars than that mentioned have occupied
the attention of people of this section, though
perhaps not to such an extent as the great civil
strife. There were not people in Arkansas to go
to the War of 1812, and the State becomes con-
nected with that struggle chiefly because Archibald
Yell, the brave young hero, was at the battle of
New Orleans, and afterward became one of the most
prominent citizens of Arkansas. He was born in
North Carolina, in August, 1797, and consequently
was but fifteen years of age when the second war
with England began. But the lad then and there
won the inalienable friendship of Gen. Jackson.
Arkansas acquired no little fame in the Mexican
War, chiefly, however, through the gallantry and
death of Gov. Yell, the leader of the Arkansas
forces. When troops were caUed for in the year
1846, in the war with Mexico, Yell was a member
of Congress. A regiment of cavalry was raised
and he was asked to take the command, and obedi-
ent to this request he promptly resigned his seat
to assume leadership. Albert Pike was a captain
in the regiment.
At the battle of Buena Vista, on February 22,
1847, Yell led his cavalry command in one of the
most desperate charges in the annals of war. In
his enthusiasm he spurred on his horse far in
advance of his men. He was charging the enemj',
which outnumbered his force more than five to
one. He reached the ranks of the enemy almost
alone, and raising himself in the saddle commenced
to slash right and left, totally unmindful that it
was one against thousands. Just as the foremost of
his men came up he was run through the body and
killed. William A. L. Throckmorton, of Fayette-
ville, it is agreed, was the first to reach the side
and catch the falling form of his loved leader. Mr.
Throckmorton says he saw the man who gave the
fatal thrust and quickly kUled him, thus avenging
so far as the wretched greaser's life could go the
life of as gallant and noble a knight as ever re-
sponded to bugle call. He was the dashing cava-
lier, great in peace, superb in war. Leading his
trusty followers in any of the walks of life, death
alone could check him. nothing could conquer him.
After the war was over the government brought
his remains and delivered them to his friends in
Fayetteville, his home, who lovingly deposited
them beneath the cold white marble shaft which
speaks his fame. The burial ceremony occurred
August 3, 1847, and a vast concourse of people,
the humblest and highest in the State, were the
sincere and deep mourners on the occasion.
Arkansas won everlasting laurels through its
gallant soldiers in the Mexican War.
Omitting all reference to the Revolutionary
War, there are conclusions to be di-awn from the
wars our countrymen have been engaged in since
the days when Gen. Jackson was the national hero.
None of these were significant enough to be used
by the philosophic historian from which to draw
conclusions as to the character of modern or
contemporary Americans as warriors, or their dis-
tinguishing characteristics as a warlike nation
The late Civil War, however, furnishes a wide and
ample field for such investigation. An impartial
view of the late struggle presents first of all this
remarkable fact. In by far the longest and great-
est war of modern times, neither side has given
the age a great captain, as some call greatness,
though one furnished Grant, the other, Lee, both
men without a superior; whilst in the ranks and
among the sub-commands, no battles in history
are at all comparable for excellence and superior
soldiership to those of the great Civil War. On
both sides there were any number of great field
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
81
commanders, as great as ever drew a sword. But
they received orders, did not give them, and in
the execution of orders never were excelled. Lee,
Grant, Jackson, Sherman, Hancock, Johnston.
Sheridan and hundreds of others on both sides, to
the humblest in the ranks, were immortal types of
the soldier in the field. These men were like
Napoleon's marshals — given a command or order
they would risk life itself to execute it. But on
neither side was there the least exhibition of the
qualities of a Napoleon or Von Moltke.
Napoleon was his own secretary of war, gov-
ernment, cabinet, and commander in the field, and
for this very reason, he was Von Moltke' s inferior
as a great commander, whose genius saw the weak
point, the point of victory on the map of the
enemj''s country, and struck it with a quick and
decisive blow.
Our Civil War and the Franco- German "War
were closely together in time. War was hardly over
in America when it commenced in Europe. Any
student of German history who has studied the
German-Prussian war, can not but know that Von
Moltke was the pre-eminent captain in all the his-
tories of wars. Had Washington or Richmond had
his peer at the commencement of our struggle, the
high probabilities are that the war would have
been over before the first twelve months had ex-
pired.
In- war, it is a fact, that it is the strategy be-
fore the armies meet in battle array which decides
• the straggle. It is only thus that one man can
become more powerful than a million with giins in
their hands. It is in this sense — this application
of the science of modern warfare, that a com-
mander wins battles and decides victories. He
conquers enemies, not by di'awing his sword, but,
studying his maps in his qaiet den when others
sleep, he directs the movements of his armies and
leaves the details of the actual fight to others. He
is indifferent to the actual fighting part of it, be-
cause he has settled all that long beforehand by
his orders.
In all actual battles, as was testified by the
Federal commanders before Congress about the
battle of Gettysburg, if victory is not organized
beforehand, all is chance, uncertainty, and both
armies are little else than headless mobs — ignorant
of whether they are whipping or being whipped.
The field commander may save the day and turn
the tide and gain a victory, but what is it after all,
— so many men killed and captured on either side,
and then recruited up, and rested a little, only to
repeat the bloody carnage again and again.
Let it be assumed that the absence of great mil-
itary genius on both sides is the highest compli-
ment that can be paid to American civilization. War
is barbarism. The higher civilization will eradi-
cate all practical knowledge of the brutality of
warfare from men's minds. Then there will be
no wars, save that of truth upon the false — intelli-
gence irpon ignorance How gi'andly divine will
be, not only the great leaders in this holy struggle
for victory, but the humblest of all privates!
82
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Public Enterprises— The Real Estate Bank of Arkansas— State Roads and other Highways—
The Military Roads- Navigation Within the State froji the Earliest Times to the
Present— Decadence of State Navigation— Steamboat Racing— Accidents to
Boats— The Rise and Growth of the Railroad Systems— A Sketch
OF THE Different Lines — Other Important Considerations.
From the blessings the}' bestow
Our times are dated, and our eras move.-
-Prior.
*HE first session of the new
State legislature, among
other acts, incorporated the
State Bank, and as if fur-
ther determined to show
that the legislature was at
least in the front in those
days of wild- cat bank enterprises,
proceeded to make money cheap
and all rich by incorporating the
celebrated Real Estate Bank of
Arkansas. Already John Law's
Mississippi bubble had been for-
gotten — the old continental money
and the many other distressing
instances of those cruel but fas-
cinating fictions of attempts to
make credits wealth. No statesman in the world' s
history has ever yet made an approach to the
accomplishment of such an impossibility, and still
nearly all financial legislation is founded upon
this basic idea. State and national banks have
been the alluring will-o'-the-wisps in this per-
sistent folly. All experience teaches that the
government that becomes a money-changer soon
becomes the powerful robber, and the places of
just rulers are filled with tax bandits— there the
1 lordly rulers are banditti, and the people the most
I wretched of slaves.
The State Bank was, as were all such institu-
I tions of that day in any of the States, demoraliz-
ing in the financial affairs of the people, encourag-
ing extravagance and debt, and deceiving men with
the appearances of wealth to their ultimate ruin.
The Real Estate Bank, as its name indicates,
was for the purpose of loaning money on real
estate security. Dp to that time the American
farmer had not learned to base his efforts upon any-
thing except his labor. To produce something and
sell it was the whole horizon of his financial educa-
tion. If, while his crop was maturing, he needed
subsistence he went to his merchant and bought
the fewest possible necessities on credit. It was
an evil hour when he was tempted to become a
speculator. Yet there were some instances in
which the loans on real estate resulted in enabling
men to make finely improved cotton plantations.
But the rule was to get people in debt and at the
same time exhaust the cash in the bank. The
bank could collect no money, and the real estate
owner was struggling under mortgages he could
not pay. Both lender and borrower were sufferers,
and the double infliction was apon them of a public
and individual indebtedness. The Real Estate
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
83
Bank made an assignment in 1842, and for years
was the source of much litigation. It practically
ceased to do business j^ears before it had its doors
closed and was wound up, and the titles to such
lands as it had become the possessor of passed to
the State.
The old State Bank building, in front of the
State house, is the only reminder of the institution
which promised so much and did so little for the
public. The old building is after the style of all
such buildings — a low, two-story brick or stone,
with huge Corinthian columns in front, having
stone steps to ascend to the first floor. Similar
structures can be found in Illinois. Missouri and
all the Western and Southern States. The one in
Little Rock is unsightly and gloomy and does little
else but cumber the ground. It is in the way, ow-
ing to a difficulty in the title, of such a modern
and elegant building as would be in keeping with
the rapidly advancing and beautiful "City of
Roses. ' '
Roads and highways have always occupied pub-
lic consideration. Being so crossed with rivers
passing from the west toward the Mississippi
River, the early settlers all over the confines of this
State passed up the streams and for some time
used these as the only needed highways. In the
course of time they began to have bridle-paths
crossing from settlement to settlement.
The United States military road from Western
Missouri passed through Arkansas and led on to
Shreveport, La. This extended through East-
ern Arkansas, and Arkansas Post was an import-
ant point on the route. It was surveyed and
partially cut out early in the nineteenth century.
A monthly mail proceeded over the route on horse-
back, the mail rider generally being able to carry
the mail in his pocket.
A ti'ail at first was the road from the mouth of
the White River to Arkansas Post. This portage
soon became a highway, as much of the business
and travel for the Post was landed at the mouth of
White River and transported across to the Red
River.
In 1821 Congress authorized the survey and
opening of a public highway from Memphis, via
Little Rock, to Fort Smith. The work was com-
pleted in 1823. This was the first highway of
any importance in the Territory. The other routes
mentioned above were nothing more than trails, or
bridle-paths. A weekly mail between Little Rock
and Memphis was established in 1829.
In 1832 a government road leading on a di-
rect line fi'om Little Rock to Batesville was cut
out, and the Indians removed from Georgia were
brought by water to the capital and taken over
this road. At that time it was the best public
course as well as the longest in the State, and be-
came in time the main traveled road from the
northern part of the State to its center.
Arkansas was settled sparsely along the Missis-
sippi River some years before Fulton invented the
steamboat. The first steamboat ever upon western
waters passed down that river in the latter part
of 1811 — the "Orleans," Capt. Roosevelt.
The Indians had their light cedar bark canoes,
and were remarkably expert in handling them.
These were so light that the squaws could carry
them on their backs, and in their expeditions in
ascending the streams frequently saved much time
by traveling across the great bends of the river
and carrying their conveyances. Of course in going
with the current, they kept the stream, skimming
over the waters with great speed. At one time the
migratory Indians at stated seasons followed the
buffalo from the Dakotas to the Gulf, the buffalo
rernaining near, and the Indians on the streams.
The latter could thus out-travel the immense
herds and at certain points make forays upon
them and so keep an abundant supply of meat.
The buffalo had the curious habit of indulging
in long stops when they came to a large river in
their course, as if dreading to take to the water
and swim across. They would gather on the bank
of the river at the selected crossing- place, and
after having devoured everything near at hand
and hunger began to pinch, would collect into a
close circle and begin to move, circling round
and round, the inside ones ever crowding the out-
side ones closer and closer to the water. This
continued until some one, crowded into the deep
water, had to make the plunge, when all followed.
84
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
These animals when attacked by other animals,
or when danger threatened, formed in a compact
circle, with the cows and calves on the inside and
the bulls on the outer ring. In this battle array
there was nothing in the line of beasts that dared
molest them.
The white man came and to the canoe he added
the skiff, the pirogue, the raft, the keel boat and
the flat boat. The raft never made but one trip
and that was down stream always, and when its
destination was reached it was sold to be converted
into lumber. Other water crafts could be hauled
back by long tow lines, men walking on the banks
and pulling them up stream. There are those now
living who can remember when this was the only
mode of river navigation. The younger people of
this generation can form no adequate idea of the
severity of the toil and the suffering necessarily in-
volved in the long trips then made by these hardy
pioneers. If the people of today were compelled
to procure the simple commodities of life at such
hard sacrifices, by such endurance, they would do
without them, and go back to fig leaves and nuts
and roots for subsistence.
When Fulton and Livingston had successfully
navigated their boat from Pittsburg to New Or-
leans, they made the claim of a sort of royal patent
to the exclusive navigation of the Mississippi River
and its tributaries. This claim was put forth in
perfect good faith and it was a new question as
well as a serious one for the courts, when these
claimants arrested Captain Shreve upon his arrival
in New Orleans with his boat, and carried him be-
fore the court to answer in damages for navi-
gating by steam the river that belonged to them
as the first steam navigators. This curious inci-
dent indicates how little even the inventor of the
steamboat appreciated of what vast importance to
civilization his noble invention really was. To
him and his friend it was but a small personal
right or perquisite — a licensed monopoly, out of
which they could make a few dollars, and when
they passed away probably the invention too would
die and be forgotten. How infinitely greater had
the noble, immortal originator builded than he
knew! The revolving paddles of the steamboat
were but the wheels now whirling so rapidly be-
neath the flying railroad trains over the civilized
world. From this strange, rude craft, the ' ' Or-
leans," have evolved the great steamships, iron-clad
war vessels, and the palatial steamboats plying the
inland waters wherever man's wants or luxuries
are to be supplied. The genius and glory of such
men as Fulton belong to no age, much less to
themselves — they and theirs are a part of the world,
for all time.
In 1812 Jacob Barkman opened up a river
trade between Arkadelphia and New Orleans, car-
rying his first freights in a pirogue. It took six
months to make a round trijj. He conveyed to New
Orleans bear skins and oil, pelts, and tallow se-
cured from wild cattle, of which there were a great
many; these animals had originally been brought
to the country by the Spaniards and French, and
had strayed away, and increased into great herds,
being as wild and nearly as fleet as the deer. He
brought back sugar, coffee, powder, lead, flints,
copperas, camphor, cotton and wool cards, etc.,
and soon after embarking was able to own his
negro crews. He purchased the steamboat ' ' Dime ' '
and became one of the most extensive and enter-
prising men in the State. With his boat he ascended
rivers, and purchased the cotton, owning his cargo,
for a return trip.
in 1819, James Miller, the first governor of the
Territory, and a military suite of twenty persons,
embarked at Pittsburg in the United States keel-
boat, ' ' Arkansas, ' ' for Arkansas Post. The trip
occupied seventy days, reaching the point of desti-
nation January 1, 1820. It was difficult to tell
which excited the greatest curiosity among the
natives — the new governor or the keel -boat.
The flood-tide of western river navigation
reached its highest wave soon after the close of the
late war. The Mississi^jpi River and tributaries
were crowded with craft, and the wharves of cities
and towns along the banks were lined with some
of the finest boats ever built, all freighted to the
water's edge and crowded with passengers. Build-
ers vied with each other in turning out the most
magnificent floaters, fitted with every elegance and
luxury money could procure. The main point after
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
elegance, in which they rivaled most, was the speed
of their respective craft. From the close of the
war to 1870, steamboating was the overshadowing
business on western waters. Of the boats of this
era, some 'will go into history, noted for their
fleetness, but unlike the fleet horses of history,
they could not leave their strain in immortal de-
scendants, rivaling their celebrated feats. Racing
between boats that happened to come together on
the river was common, and sometimes reckless
and dangerous, as well as exciting. Occasionally
a couple of "tubs," as the boys called a slow
boat, engaged in a race and away they would go,
running for hours side by side, the stokers all
the time piling in the most inflammable material
they could lay hands on, especially pine knots and
fat bacon, until the eager flames poured out
of the long chimney tops; and it was often told
that the captain, rather than fall behind in the
race, would seat a darkey on the end of the lever
of the safety valve, and at the same time scream
at the stokers to pile on the bacon, pine knots, oil,
anything to make steam. Roustabouts, officers,
crew and passengers were all as wildly excited as
the captain, and as utterly regardless of dangers.
From such recklessness accidents of course did hap-
pen, but it is wonderful there were so few.
Not infrequently commanders would regularly
engage beforehand for a race of their boats; fixing
the day and time and as regularly preparing then-
vessels as a jockey trains and grooms his race-horse.
The two most noted contests of this kind on the
Mississippi River were, first, in the early times,
between the ' ' Shotwell ' ' and ' ' Eclipse, ' ' from
Louisville to New Orleans. The next and greatest
of all was just at the time of the commencement of
the decline in steamboating, between the steamers
"Robert E. Lee" and "Natchez," from New Or-
leans to St. Louis. The speed, the handling of
these boats, the record they made, have never been
equaled and probably never will be, unless steam-
boating is revived by some new invention. The
race last mentioned took place in 1868.
Fearful steamboat calamities, from explosions
and from flres, like the awful railroad accidents,
have marked the era of steam navigation.
The most disastrous in history occurred in 1865,
in the loss of the ' ' Sultana, ' ' on the Mississippi, a
few miles above Memphis, a part of the navigable
waters of Arkansas. The boat was on her way up
stream from New Orleans laden principally with
soldiers, some of them with their families, and
several citizens as passengers. There were 2,350
passengers and crew on the vessel. A little after
midnight the sudden and awful explosion of the
boilers came, literally tearing the boat to pieces,
after which the wreck took fire. Over 2,000 peo-
ple perished.
The early decline of the steamboat industry
kept even pace with the building of railroads over
the country. Main lines of railroads were soon
built, the streams being used as natiu'al road beds
through the rock hills and mountains. In passing
over the country in trains one will now often see
the flowing river close to the railroad track on one
hand, when from the opposite window the high
rock mountain wall may almost be touched. Then,
too, the large towns were along the navigable riv-
ers, lakes and ocean. The sage conclusion of the
philosopher when he went out to look at the world,
and was impressed with the curious coincidence
that the rivers ran so close by the big towns, is a
trite one: A great convenience to those who used
water.
The first railroad built in Arkansas was the
Memphis & Little Rock Railroad. Work was com-
menced with the intention of first constructing it
from Little Rock to Devall's Bluff, on White
River, whence passengers might proceed by boat
to Memphis. It was started at both ends of the
line and finished in 1859, the next year being
extended to St. Francis River, and then in 1860
completed to the river opposite Memphis. When
the Federal army took possession of the Mississippi
River, and their forces began to possess the north-
eastern portion of the State, the Confederates as
they retired toward Little Rock destroyed the road
and burned the bridges. Indeed, when the war
ended in 1865, Arkansas was without a mile of
railroad. Soon after the war closed the road was
rebuilt and put in operation, and for some time
was the only one in the State.
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
The next was the old Cairo & Fulton Railroad,
now the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Sotithern
Road. It was organized in 1853, and in 185-4-55
obtained a large Congressional laud grant in aid
of the enterprise, and built first from Fulton to
Beebe, in 1872; it was completed to Texarkana
in 1873, and soon came to be the most important
line in the State. The Camden branch, from Gur-
don to Camden, was completed in 1882. The Mem-
phis branch, from Bald Knob to Memphis, ninety-
three miles, was finished and the first passenger
train passed over the line May 10, 1888. The
branch from Newport to Cushman, a distance of
forty-six miles, was built in 1882. The Helena
branch, from Noble to Helena, 140 miles, was com-
pleted in 1882.
The main line of the St. Louis & Iron Moun-
tain Railroad enters the State on the north, at
Moark (combination for Missouri and Arkansas),
and passes out at Texarkana (combination for
Arkansas and Texas). The distance between these
two points is 305 miles.
The first section of the St. Louis, Arkansas &
Texas Railroad, from Clarendon to Jonesboro, was
built in 1882, and the next year completed to Tex-
arkana. It was built as a narrow gauge and made
a standard gauge in 1886. Its northern terminus
for some time was Cairo, where it made its St.
Louis connection over the St. Louis & Cairo Nar-
row Gauge Road, now a standard, and a part of the
Mobile & Ohio system. The Magnolia branch of
this road runs from McNeal to Magnolia, about
twenty miles, and was built in 1885. The Althei-
mer branch, from Altheimer to Little Rock, was
constructed and commenced operation in 1888.
The main line of this road enters the State from
the north in Clay County, on the St. Francis River,
penetrating into Texas at Texarkana.
The Little Rock, Mississippi River & Texas
Railroad, now in course of construction, is a much
needed road from Little Rock to Pine Bluff, on to
Warren and Mississippi, and will form an important
outlet for Arkansas toward the Gulf. This was
built from Arkansas City to Pine Bluff, and then
completed to Little Rock in 1880.
The Pine Bluff & Swan Lake Railroad was
built in 1885. It is twenty-six miles long, and
runs between the points indicated by its name.
The Arkansas Midland Railroad, from Helena
to Clarendon, was built as a narrow gauge and
changed to a standard road in 1886.
The Batesville & Brinkley Railroad is laid as
far as Jacksonport. It was changed in 1888 to a
standard gauge, and is now in course of construc-
tion on to Batesville.
The Kansas City, Fort Scott & Memphis Rail-
road enters the State at Mammoth Spring, and
runs to West Memphis. Its original name was
Kansas City, Springfield & Memphis Railroad. It
now is a main line from Kansas City to Birming-
ham, Ala.
Work was commenced on the Little Rock &
Fort Smith Railroad in 1871 at Little Rock, and
built to Ozark; later it was finished to Van Buren,
there using a transfer, and was completed to Fort
Smith.
The Hot Springs Railroad, from Malvern, on the
main line of the Iron Mountain Railroad, to Hot
Springs, was built and is owned by ' ' Diamond
Joe ' ' Reynolds. Operations were commenced in
1874.
The line of the St. Louis & San Francisco Rail-
road passes near the west line of Arkansas adjacent
to Fort Smith. There is a branch road of this
line from Jensen to Mansfield, sixteen miles long.
It looks a little as though the sponsor for the
name of the Ultima Thule, Arkadelphia & Missis-
sippi Railroad intended to use the name for a main
track through the State. It was built in 1887 for
the use of the Arkadelphia Lumber Company.
Eureka Springs branch runs from Seligman to Eu-
reka Springs. Another branch goes from Rogers
to Bentonville. Still another, extending from Fay-
etteville to St. Paul, is thirty-five miles in length.
The branch from Fayetteville is now in course of
building.
The Russellville & Dardanelle Railroad is four
miles long, extending from the south bank of the
Arkansas River to Russellville.
The Southwestern, Arkansas & Indian Terri-
tory Railroad indicates that there is nothing in a
name, as this road is but twenty-seven miles long,
HISTORY OF AEKANSA.S.
running from Southland to Okolona on the west,
and also extending east fi'om the main line.
A line is being surveyed and steps actively
taken to build a road from Kansas City to Little
Rock, which is to cross the Boston Mountains near
the head waters of White River.
Several other important lines are at this time
making preparations to build in the near future.
Charters for nearly 100 routes in the State have
been secured since 1885. There is not only plenty
of room, but a great necessity for yet hundreds of
miles of new roads here. They will greatly facili-
tate the development of the immense resources of
this favored locality.
;ifiif 11 XI.
■ > « < *
The Counties of the State— Their Formation and Changes of Boundary Lines, etc.— Their
CoiTNTY Seats and other Items or Interest Concerning Theji- Defunct Counties- New
Counties— Population of all the Counties of the State at every General Census.
Not cbaos-like, together crush'd aud bruised;
But as the world, harmoniouslj' confused;
Where order in variety we see.
And where, though all things differ, they agree.-
-Pope.
' ERHAPS to many, no more
interesting subject in the
history of the State can be
presented than that refer-
ring to the name, organiza-
tion, etc., of each county
within its limits. Careful
research has brought forth the fol-
lowing facts presented in a concise,
but accurate manner:
Arkansas County was formed
December 13, 1813. As the first
municipal formation within the
boundary of the State, in Lower Mis-
souri Territory, it was first a parish
under Spanish rule and then under
French. October 23, 1821, a part
of Phillips County was added to it; the line be-
tween Pulaski and Arkansas was changed October
30, 1823; Quapaw Purchase divided between Ar-
kansas and Pulaski October 13, 1827; line between
Arkansas and Phillips defined November 21, 1829;
boundaries defined November 7, 1836. County
seat, De Witt; first county seat, Arkansas — oppo-
site Arkansas Post.
Ashley, formed November 30, 1848, named for
Hon. Chester Ashley, who died a United States
Senator; line between Chicot changed January 19,
1861. County seat, Hamburg.
Baxter, March 24, 1873; line between Izard and
Fulton defined October 16, 1875; line between
Marion changed March 9, 1881. County seat.
Mountain Home.
Benton, September 30, 1836, named in honor
of Hon. Thomas H. Benton. County seat, Ben-
tonville.
Boone, April 9, 1869 ; named for Daniel
Boone; line between Marion defined December 9,
1875. Harrison, county seat.
Bradley, December 18. 1840; part of Calhoun
88
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
attached October 19, 1862; part restored to Ashley
County January 1, 1859. Warren, county seat.
Calhoun, December 6, 1850; named for John
C. Calhoun; part added to Union and Bradley
November 19, 1862. County seat, Hampton.
Carroll, November 1, 1833; named in honor of
the signer of the declaration; boundary defined
December 14, 1838; line between Madison defined
January, 11, 1843, and again January 20, 1843;
line between Marion defined December 18, 1846;
line between Madison defined December 29, 1854,
and again January 16, 1857; part of Madison
attached April 8, 1869. Berryville, county seat.
Chicot, October 25, 1823; boundary defined
November 2, 1835; part attached to Drew Decem-
ber 21, 1846; line between Ashley changed
January 19, 1861; line between Drew changed
November 30, 1875; line changed between Desha
February 10, 1879. Lake Village, county seat.
Clark, December 15, 1818, while Lower Mis-
souri Territory; named in honor of Gov. Clark,
of Missouri; the line between Pulaski and Clark,
changed October 30, 1823; divided November 2,
1829; line between Hot Springs and Dallas changed
April 3, 1868; line between Pike defined April
22, 1873; line between Montgomery changed April
24, 1873; line between Pike changed March 8,
1887. Arkadelphia, county seat.
Clay, March 24, 1873; named for Henry Clay.
This county, formed as Clayton County, was changed
to Clay on December 6, 1875. The act of March
24, 1873, changed the boundaries of a large num-
ber of counties. Boydsville and Corning, county
Cleburne, formed February 20, 1883; named
in honor of Gen. Patrick A. Cleburne. Heber is
the county seat.
Cleveland, formed in 1885; named for President
Cleveland; was formed as Dorsey County. Toledo,
county seat.
Columbia, December 17, 1852; piart of Union
County added December 21, 1858; line between
Nevada defined April 19, 1873. Magnolia, county
seat.
Conway, December 7, 1825; named after the
noted Conways; the northeast boundary defined
October 27, 1827; line between Pulaski and Con-
way defined October 20, 1828; part of Indian pur-
chase added October 22, 1828; line between Con-
way, Pulaski and Independence defined November
5, 1831; part added to Pope January 6, 1853;
part added to White January 11, 1853; act of
March, 1873; line between Pope defined May 28,
1874. County seat, Morrillton.
Craighead, formed February 19, 1850. Jones-
boro, county seat.
Crawford, October 18, 1820; boundary was
changed October 30, 1823; divided and county
of Lovely established October 13, 1827; part of
the Cherokee Country attached to, October 22,
1828; boundary defined December 18, 1837; line
between Scott defined; line between Washington
defined November- 24, 1846; line between Frank-
lin defined March 4, 1875; line changed between
Washington March 9, 1881. Van Buren, county
seat.
Crittenden, October 22, 1825; named for Rob-
ert Crittenden; St. Francis River declared to be
the line between St. Francis and Crittenden Coun-
ties November, 1831; portion attached to Missis-
sippi County January, 1861; act, March, 1873.
Marion, county seat.
Cross, November 15, 1862, 1866, 1873. Witts-
burg, the county seat.
Dallas, January 1, 1845; line between Hot
Springs and Clark changed April 3, 1869. Prince-
ton the county seat.
Desha, December 12, 1838; named for Hon.
Ben Desha; portion attached to Drew January 21,
1861; part of Chicot attached February 10, 1879;
also of Lincoln, March 10, 1879. Arkansas City,
county seat.
Drew, November 26, 1846; part Chicot attached
December 21, 1846; part of Desha attached Jan-
uary 21, 1861; March, 1873; line between Chicot
changed November 30, 1875. Monticello, county
seat.
Faulkner, April 12, 1873; line defined Decem-
7, 1875. Conway, county seat.
Franklin, December 19, 1837; line between
Johnson defined December 14, 1833; line between
Crawford defined March 4, 1875. Ozark, county seat.
HISTOR'S OF ARKANSAS.
Fulton, December 21, 1842; part attached to
Marion County January 18, 1855; part of Law-
rence attached January 18, 1855, March, 1873;
line between Baxter and Izard defined February
16, 1875. County seat, Salem.
Garland, April 5, 1873; named after Gov.
A. H. Garland. Hot Springs, county seat.
Grant, February 4, 1869. Sheridan, county
seat.
Greene, November 5, 1833; act March, 1873.
Paragould, county seat.
Hempstead, December 15, 1818, when this
was Lower Missouri Territory; Lafayette County
carved out of this territory October 15, 1827; line
between Pike defined December 14, 1838. Wash-
ington, county seat.
Hot Spring, November 2, 1829; certain lands
attached to March 2, 1838; Montgomery taken out
of December 9, 1842; line between Saline defined
December 23, 1846; line between Montgomery
changed December 27, 1848; line between Saline
changed February 19, 1859, and changed again
January 10, 1861; line between Clark and Dallas
changed April 3, 1869; March, 1873. Malvern,
county seat.
Howard, April 17, 1873. County seat, Centre
Point.
Independence, October 20, 1820; part of east-
ern boundary defined October 30, 1823; Izard
County formed of October 27, 1825; part of Inde-
pendence added October 22, 1828; line between
Independence and Izard defined November 5, 1831;
line between Independence and Conway, November
5, 1831; between Independence and Jackson, No-
vember 8, 1836; between Izard February 21, 1838;
December 14, 1840; Lawrence changed December
26, 1840; March. 1873; Sharp County defined Feb-
ruary 11, 1875. Batesville, county seat.
Izard, October 27, 1825; western boundary
line extended October 13, 1827; part of the Indian
purchase added October 22, 1828; between Inde-
pendence and Izard defined November 5, 1831;
between Conway and Izard, November 5, 1831;
southern boundary established November 11, 1833;
line between Independence defined February 21,
1838, and December 14, 1838, and December 21,
1840; western boundary line defined December 24,
1840, March, 1873; between Baxter and Fulton
defined February 16, 1875; between Sharp changed
March 9, 1877. Melbourne, county seat.
Jackson, November 5, 1829; line between In-
dependence defined November 8, 1836; part of
St. Francis attached January 10, 1851. Jackson-
port, county seat.
Jefferson, November 2, 1829; boundaries de-
fined November 3, 1831, and again October 29,
1836; line changed between Lincoln and Desha
March 20, 1879. Pine Bluff, county seat.
Johnson, November 16, 1833; southern line
defined November 3, 1835; east line defined Octo-
ber 5, 1836; line between Franklin defined Decem-
ber 14, 1838, 1848; between Pope February 19,
1859, again March 27, 1871; line between Pope
re-established on March 6, 1875; between Pope
changed March 9, 1877. Clarksville, county seat.
Lafayette, October 15. 1827; the line between
Union defined November 26, 1846. Lewisville,
county seat.
Lawrence, on January 15, 1815, while Lower
Missoiu'i Territory; east line defined October 30,
1823; between Independence changed December
20, 1840; part attached to Fulton January 18,
1855; part attached to Randolph January 18,
1861; nearly half the comity cut off the west side
to form Sharp County, 1868. Powhatan, county
seat.
Lee, April 17, 1873. Marianna, county seat.
Lincoln, March 28, 1871; part transferred to
Desha County, March 10, 1879. Star City, county
seat.
Little River, March 5, 1867. Richmond is the
county seat.
Logan, originally Sarber County, March 22,
1871; amended, February 27, 1873; changed to
Logan, December 14, 1875; line between Scott
changed, March 21, 1881. Paris, county seat.
Lonoke, April 16, 1873; named for the lone
oak tree, by simply spelling phonetically — the
suggestion of the chief engineer of the Cairo &
Fulton Railroad. Line between Prairie defined
November 30, 1875, and again, December 7, 1875.
Lonoke, county seat.
90
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Lovely, October 13, 1827; abolished October
17, 1828.
Madison, September 30, 1836; west boundary
changed on November 26, 1838; betvceen Carroll
defined January 11, 1843, and again January 20,
1843, 1846; between Newton, December 21, 1848;
between Carroll, April 8, 1869. Huntsville, county
seat.
Marion, September 25, 1836; originally Searcy
County; changed to Marion, September 29, 1836
(Searcy County created out of December 13, 1838);
west boundary defined November 18,1837; between
Carroll defined December 18, 1846; part of Fulton
attached January 18, 1855; between Van Buren
and Searcy defined January 20, 1855, and March,
1873; line between Boone defined December 9,
1875; line between Baxter changed March 9, 1881.
Yellville, county seat.
Miller, April 1, 1820; the greater portions fell
within the limits of Texas; county abolished there-
fore, 1836; re-established, December 22, 1874, and
eastern boundary extended. Texarkana, county seat.
Mississippi, November 1, 1833, 1859; portion
of Crittenden attached, January 18, 1861. Osceola,
county seat.
Monroe, November 2, 1829; boundaries defined
December 25, 1840; line between Prairie changed
December 7, 1850; line changed April 12, 1869,
March, 1873, April, 1873, and May 27, 1874.
Clarendon, county seat.
Montgomery, December 9, 1842; line between
Yell defined January 2, 1845; between Perry,
December 23, 1846; between Perry re-established
December 21, 1848; between Hot Spring changed
December 27, 1848; between Polk changed Feb-
ruary 7,1859, March, 1873; between Clark changed
April 24, 1873; line between Pike defined Decem-
ber 16, 1874. Mount Ida, county seat.
Nevada, March 20, 1871 ; line between Colum-
bia defined April 10, 1873. Prescott, county seat.
Newton, December 14, 1842; line between
Madison defined December 21,1848; between Pope
January 10, 1853. Jasper, county seat.
Ouachita, November 29, 1842; line between
Union changed January 6, 1853. Camden, county
seat.
Perry, December 18, 1840; line between Pul-
aski, Saline and Montgomery defined December
23, 1846; old line between Montgomery re-estab-
lished December 21,1848. Perryville, county seat.
Phillips, May 1, 1820; part attached to Arkan-
sas County October 23, 1881; west boundary
defined October 30, 1 823 ; act to divide and create
Crittenden County October 22, 1825; divided and
St. Francis County created October 13, 1827; line
between Arkansas County defined November 21,
1828, 1840, March, 1873. Helena, county seat.
Pike, November 1, 1833; line between Sevier
defined November 15,1833; between Hempstead,
December 14, 1838; between Clark, April 22,
1873; between Montgomery, December 16, 1874:
between Clark defined March 8, 1877. Murfrees-
boro, county seat.
Poinsett, February 28, 1838, 1859. Harris-
burg, county seat.
Polk, November 30, 1844; line between Mont-
gomery changed February 7, 1859; part of Sebas-
tian County added by ordinance of convention,
June 1, 1861. Dallas, county seat.
Pope, November 2, 1829; part added to Yell
January 5, 1853; part of Conway attached Janu-
ary 6, 1853; line between Newton, January 10,
1853; part of Van Buren attached January 12,
1853; between Van Buren defined February 17,
1859; between Johnson, October 19, 1859, March,
27, 1871; between Conway, May 28, 1874; between
Johnson re-established March 6, 1875; between
Johnson changed March 9, 1877. Dover, county
seat.
Prairie, October 25, 1846; between Pulaski
changed December 30, 1848; between Monroe
changed December 7, 1850; line changed April 12,
1869; between White defined April 17, 1873; line
changed April 26, 1873, May 27, 1874; between
Lonoke changed November 30, 1875; separated
into two districts, 1885. Devall's Bluff, county
seat.
Pulaski, December 15, 1818, while a part of
Lower Missouri Territory ; line between Arkansas
and Pulaski October 30, 1823; between Clark
changed October 30, 1823; divided October 20,
1825; Quapaw Purchase divided — Arkansas and
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
91
Pulaski, October 13, 1827; northwest boundary
defined October 23, 1827; between Pulaski and
Conway, October 20, 1828; line between Saline
defined February 25, 1838, December 14, 1838;
between White changed February 3,1843; between
Saline defined December 21, 1846; between Perry
defined December 23, 1846; between Prairie
changed December 30, 1848; between Saline de-
fined April 12, 1873; again, December 7, 1875.
Little Rock, county seat.
Randolph, October 29, 1835; part of Lawrence
attached January 18, 1864, March, 1873. Poca-
hontas, county seat.
Saline, November 2, 1835; boundaries defined
November 5, 1836; between Pulaski, February 25,
1838, December 14, 1838, December 21, 1846; be-
tween Hot Spring, December 23, 1846, February
19, 1859, January 19,1861; between Pulaski, April
12, 1873, December 17, 1875. Benton, county
seat.
Scott, November 5, 1833; boundaries defined
October 24, 1835; between Crawford, December
16, 1838; part of Sebastian attached by conven-
tion June 1, 1861 ; line between Logan changed
March 21, 1873. Waldron, county seat.
Searcy, November 5, 1835; boundaries defined
September 26, 1836; name changed to Marion
September 29, 1836; county created out of Marion
December 13, 1838; between Van Buren defined
October 2, 1853; between Van Buren and Marion
defined October 20, 1855, March, 1873. Marshall,
county seat.
Sebastian, January 6, 1851; part attached to
Scott and Polk by the convention June 1, 1861.
Fort Smith and Greenwood, county seats.
Sevier, October 17, 1828; boundaries defined
November 8, 1833; between Pike, November 15.
1833; southeast boundary defined October 29,
1836. Lockesburg, county seat.
Sharp, July 18, 1808; act March 3, 1873; be-
tween Independence defined February 11, 1875;
line between Izard changed March 9, 1877, 1883.
Evening Shade, county seat.
St. Francis, October 13, 1827; St. Francis
River declared boundary line between Crittenden
November 3, 1831; part attached to Jackson Jan-
uary 1, 1851, March, 1873. Forrest City, county
seat.
Stone, April 21, 1873. Mountain View, county
seat.
Union, November 2, 1829; boundaries defined
November 5, 1836; line between Lafayette,
November 26, 1846; line between Ouachita changed
January 6, 1853; part added to Columbia, Decem-
ber 21, 1851; part of Calhoun attached October
19, 1862. El Dorado, county seat.
Van Buren, November 11. 1833; boundaries
defined November 4, 1836; part attached to Pope
January 12, 1853; between Searcy and Marion
defined January 20, 1855; between Pope defined
February 17, 1859. Clinton, county seat.
Washington, October 17, 1828; certain lands
declared to be in Washington County October 26,
1831; line between Crawford defined November
24, 1846; line changed between Crawford March
8, 1883. Fayetteville. county seat.
White, October 23, 1835; line between Pulaski
changed February 3, 1843; part of Conway at-
tached January 11, 1853; line between Prairie
defined April 17, 1873. Searcy, county seat.
Woodruff, November 26, 1862; but vote, in
pursuance to ordinance of conventions 1861, 1866,
1869; line changed April 26, 1873. Augusta,
county seat.
Yell, December 5, 1840; northern boundary,
December 21, 1840; line between Montgomery,
January 2, 1845; part Pope attached January 6,
1853. Danville and Dardanelle, county seats.
The following table will prove valuable for
comparison in noting the growth in population
of the counties throughout the State in the various
decades from their organization:
92
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
AGGEEGA.TE
POPULATION BY
COUNTIES
j
AGGREGATE POPULATION BY
COUNTIES.
i
Counties in
1880
1870
1860
1850
1840
1830 1820
1810
Counties in
the State.
1880
18T0
1860
1850
1810
1830 1820
30,388 14,255
1810
the State.
802,525
484,471
435,460
209,897
97,574
30,388
14,255
1,062
802,525
484,471
435,450
209,897
97,674
1,062
8,038
10,166
6,004
20,327
12,146
6,285
5,671
13,337
10,117
15,771
7,213
14,090
12,755
7,037
14,740
9,415
5,050
6,505
8,873
8,370
12,231
12,786
14,951
6,720
9,023
6,185
7,480
19,015
7,775
9,917
18,086
10,857
10,877
22,386
11,565
6,730
8,782
8,238
8,042
8,884
8,690
3,246
2,058
1,346
1,426
1,260
1,062
13,288
9,255
6,405
14,885
12,146
11,455
7,907
9,919
7,142
9,574
5,789
12,959
6,120
11,758
3,872
21,262
6,345
2,192
6,857
14,322
8,485
32,616
11,724
8.389
8,953
9.174
7,278
19,560
0,192
9,047
5,089
13,419
9,565
23,884
17,794
8.646
13,852
j
Lincoln
Little Kiver
3,246
13,831
7,032
8,646
3,853
6,780
7,214
11,953
9,306
3,710
2,228
Lonoke
Madison
Bradley
8,388
4,103
9,383
9,234
9,735
3,829
8,231
3,979
7,740
6,192
4,823
2,308
2,775
1,325
4,617
5,115
4,070
2,844
8,806
2,300
1,165
1,369
Mississippi
Monroe
Montgomery
Nevada
3,6.33
8,336
2,984
3,895
5,657
3,633
2,368
2,049
1,958
1,410
936
i'.oio
461
11,397
8,112
4,577
8,957
3,831
3,915
5,707
6,125
12,459
6,697
3,068
7,850
4,920
3,583
2,892
982
4,374
12,975
2,685
16,372
3,788
1,720
3,376
8,386
5,604
32,066
7,466
6,714
3,911
7,483
5613
12,940
4,492
5,400
3,393
12,936
2,465
14,877
4,026
3,621
4,262
7,883
8,864
11,699
6,261
8,672
6,540
5,142
5,271
1,758
9,591
978
6,935
1,861
2,308
1,263
4,710
2,097
6,667
3,275
4,467
3,903
3,083
1,979
7,960
2,6i8
4,265
1,561
2,440
1,272
3,547
969
1,320
1,152
1,197
Pike
8,283
6,459
6,877
2,911
1,598
Polk
2,850
1,483
Drew
9,960
9,0811
3,276
Pulaski
5,350
2,196
2,499
2,061
1,694
936
2,395
i',505
1,921
9,627
4,843
7,298
4,024
3,972
1,819
2,665
St. Francis
3,948
7,573
13,768
5,877
5,843
13,989
5,635
2,593
7,672
3,609
1,.586
4,921
1,907
Hempstead
Hot Spring
Howard
2,512
468
2,246
Sebastian
Sevier
10,516
4,240
2,810
634
Independence...
14,566
6,806
7,268
15,733
9,152
9,189
5,981
14,307
7,215
10,493
14,971
7,612
8,404
9,373
7,767
3,212
3,086
5,834
5,227
3,669
2,240
1,640
2.566
3,483
2.031
1,266
333
772
Stone
10,571
5,107
17,266
10,347
6,981
8,048
12,288
5,357
14,673
8,316
10,298
2,864
9,970
2,619
2,889
1,518
7,148
920
640
'
Van Buren
Washington
5,182
Lafayette
748
2,806
Woodruff.
Y0II ____.
5,592
6,333
3,341
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
93
Education— The Mental Type Considered— Territorial Schools, Laws and Funds— Constitutional
Provisions for Education— Legislative Provisions— Progress since the War— The State
Superintendents— Statistics— Arkansas Literature— The Aekansaw Traveler.
Delightful task ! to rear the tender thought,
To teach the young idea how to shoot;
To pour the fresh instructions o'er the mind,
To breathe th' enlivening spirit, and to fix
The generous purpose in the glowing hreasl.^Thomson.
ERE is one subject
at least in the economic
institutions of our country
where men do not divide
on political lines. To the
historian it is a restful
and refreshing oasis in
the arid desert. From
the Canadas to the Gulf commun-
ities and States earnestly vie with
each other in the establishment of
the best public schools. The pres-
ent generation has nearly supplant-
ed the former great universities
with the free public high schools,
A generation ago the South sent its
boys to the North to school; the
North sent its boys to the old universities of Europe.
Oxford and Heidelburg received the sons of ambi-
tious, wealthy Americans of the North, while Yale,
Harvard and Jefferson Colleges were each the alma
mater of many of the youths of the South. The
rivalry in the schools between the two sections at
that time was not intense, but the eduea'^ed young
men of the South met in sharpest rivalry in the
halls of Congress the typical Northern man. As
the highest tj'pes^of the North and the South in
active political life may be placed Thomas Jeffer-
son and Daniel Webster. In peace or in war the
differences in the intellectual advancement of the
two sections were more imaginary than real. The
disadvantage the South met was the natural ten-
dency to produce an aristocratic class in the com-
munity. Cotton and the negro were impediments
in the Southern States that clogged the way to the
advancement of the masses. They retarded the
building of great institutions of learning as well as
the erection of large manufactories. This applied
far more to collegiate education than to the com-
mon or public school system. The Southern man
who was able to send his children away from his
State to school realized that he gave them two ad-
vantages over keeping them at home; he aided
them in avoiding negro contact and association,
and provided the advantage of a better knowledge
of different peoples in different sections.
Arkansas may have lagged somewhat in the
cause of education in the past, but to-day, though
young as a State, it is far in advance of many older
communities who are disposed to boast greatly of
their achievements in this direction.
When still a Territory the subject of education
received wise and considerate attention. March
2, 1827, Congress gave the State seventy-two
94
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
sections of land for the purpose of establishing
"a seminar J of learning." A supplemental act
was passed by Congress, June 23, 1836, one week
after it became a State, offering certain propo-
sitions for acceptance or rejection: 1. The six-
teenth section of every township for school pur-
poses. 2. The seventy-two sections known as the
saline lands. By article 9, section 4, State con-
stitution of 1869, these lands were given to the free
schools. 3. The seventy-two sections, known as
the seminary lands, given to the Territory in 1827,
were vested and confirmed in the State of Arkansas
for the use of said seminary. October 18, 1836,
the State accepted the propositions entire; and the
legislature passed the act known as ' ' the ordinance
of acceptance and compact." December 18, 1844,
the general assembly asked Congress for a modi-
fication of the seminary grant, so as to authorize
the legislature to appropriate these seventy-two
sections of land for common school purposes.
Congress assented to this on July 29, 1846, and
the lands were added to the free school fund.
These congressional land grants formed the basis of
the State's free school system.
The first State constitution of 1836 recognized
the importance of popular education, and made it
the duty of the general assembly to provide by
law for the improvement of such lands as are, or
may be, granted by the United States for the use
of schools, and to pass such laws as ' ' shall be cal-
cftlated to encourage intellectual, scientific and
agricultural improvement."
The general assembly of 1842 established a sys-
tem of common schools in the State, which was ap-
proved and became a law February 3, 1853, pro-
viding for the sale of the sixteenth section, and
election of school trustees in each township, to ex-
pend the money from the sale of land in the cause
of education. The act required schools to be main-
tained in each township "for at least four months
in each year, and orthography, reading, writing,
English grammar, arithmetic and good morals
should be taught." The trustees were required
to visit the schools once in each month, and the
school age was fixed at from five to twenty-one
years. The act also provided for the establishment
of manual labor schools. It went to the extent of
appropriating a sum of money for the purchase of
text-books. This was a long step in advance of
any other portion of the country at that time. To
the fund arising from lands the act added ' ' all
fines for false imprisonment, assault and battery,
breach of the peace, etc." This act of the assem-
bly placed the young State in the vanguard of
States in the cause of free schools. It is an
enduring monument to the men of that legis-
lature. Under this law the reports of the county
commissioners of education were ordered to be
made to the State auditor, but if so made none can
be found in the State archives.
A State board of education was provided for
by the act of 1843, and the board was required to
make a complete report of educational matters,
and also to recommend the passage of such laws
as were deemed advisable for the advancement of
the cause of education. By an act of January 11,
1853, the secretary of State was made ex-offlcio
State commissioner of common schools, and re-
quired to report to the governor the true condition
of the schools in each county; which report the
governor presented to the general assembly at
each regular session. The provisions of an act of
January, 1855, relate to the sale of the sixteenth
section, and defined the duties of the school trus-
tees and commissioners. Article 8, in the consti-
tution of 1867, is substantially the same as the pro-
visions of the law of 1836.
From 1836 to 1867, as is shown by the above,
the provisions of the law were most excellent and
liberal toward the public schools; legislative enact-
ments occur at frequent intervals, indicating that
the State was well abreast of the most liberal school
ideas of the time, and large funds were raised
sacred to the cause.
Investigation shows that from the date of the
State' s admission into the Union, until 1867, there
were many and admirable stipulations and statutes,
by which large revenues were collected from the
sale of lands, but the records of the State depart-
ment give no account of the progress of free
schools during this period, leaving the inference
that but little practical benefit accrued to the
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
95
cause from these wise and liberal measures put
forth by Congress and the State.
By act approved May 18, 1867, the legislature
made a marked forward movement in the cause of
education. Considering the chaotic conditions of
society, and the universal public and private bank-
ruptcy, the movement is only the more surprising.
The act stipulated that a tax of 20 cents on every
1100 worth of taxable property should be levied
for the purpose of establishing and maintaining
a system of public schools. The second section
made this fund sacred — to be used for no other
purpose whatever. The fourth section provided
for a superintendent of public instruction and
defined his duties. The eighth section provided
for a school commissioner, to be chosen by the
electors of each county, who should examine any
one applying for a position as school teacher;
granting to those qualified to teach a certificate,
without which no one could be legally em-
ployed to teach. Prior to this a license as teacher
was not considered essential, and there was no one
authorized to examine applicants or grant certifi-
cates. The Congressional township was made the
unit of the school district, the act also setting
forth that in the event of the trustees failing to
have a school taught in the district at least three
months in the year, the same thereby forfeited
its portion of the school revenue. These wise and
liberal arrangements were made, it must be remem-
bered, by a people bankrupt by war and suffering
the hard trials of reconstruction.
No regular reports were made — at least none
can be found — prior to 1867, the date of the ap-
pointment of a superintendent. Though reports
were regularly received from the year mentioned,
the most of them were unsatisfactory and not
reliable.
The constitution of 1868 created some wise
amendments to the previous laws. It caused the
schools to become free to every child in the State;
school revenues were increased, districts could have
no part of the school fund unless a free school had
been taught for at least three months. The leg-
islature following this convention, July 23, 1868,
amended the school laws to conform to this con-
stitutional provision. In addition to State super-
intendent, the office of circuit superintendent was
created, and also the State board of education.
The constitutional convention of 1874 made
changes in the school law and provided for the
school system now in force in the State. The act
of the legislature, December 7, 1876, was passed
in conformity with the last preceding State con-
vention. This law with amendments is the present
school law of Arkansas.
Hon. Thomas Smith was the first State super-
intendent, in office from 1868 to 1873. The
present incumbent of that position, Hon. Wood-
ville E. Thompson, estimates that the commence-
ment of public free schools in Arkansas may prop-
erly date from the time Mr. Smith took possession
of the office — schools free to all ; every child entitled
to the same rights and privileges, none excluded;
separate schools provided for white and black;
a great number of schools organized, school houses
built, and efficient teachers secured. Previous to
this time people looked upon free schools as largely
pauper schools, and the wealthier classes regarded
them unfavorably.
Hon. J. C. Corbin, the successor of Mr. Smith,
continued in office until December 13, 1875.
Hon. B. W. Hill was appointed December 18,
1875, and remained in office until 1878. It was
during his term that there came the most marked
change in public sentiment in favor of public
schools. He was a zealous and able worker in the
cause, and from his report for 1876 is learned the
following: State apportionment, 1213,000; dis-
trict tax, $88,000; school population, 189,000.
Through the directors' failure to report the enroll-
ment only shows 16,000. The total revenue of
1877 was 1270,000; of 1878, $276,000.
Mr. Hill was succeeded in 1878 by Hon. J. L.
Denton, whose integrity, earnestness and great
ability resulted in completing the valuable work so
well commenced by his predecessor — removing the
Southern prejudices against public schools. He
deserves a lasting place in the history of Arkansas
as the advocate and champion of free schools.
The present able and efficient State superin-
tendent of public instruction, as previously men-
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
tioned, is Hon. Woodville E. Thompson. To his
eminent qualifications and tireless energy the
schools of Arkansas are largely indebted for the
rapid advance now going on, and which has
marked his past term of office. From his bien-
nial report are gleaned most of the facts and sta-
tistics given below.
The growth of the institution as a whole may
be defined by the following statistics: In 1879
the revenue raised by the State and county tax was
$271,000; in 1880, 1285.000; in 1881, $710,000;
in 1882, $722,000; in 1883, $740,000; in 1884,
$931,000; in 1885, $1,199,000; in 1886, $1,327,-
000. The district tax in 1884 was $346,521; in
1885, $343,850, and in 1886, $445,563. The dis-
trict tax is that voted by the people.
Arkansas to-day gives the most liberal sup-
port to her free schools, all else considered, of any
State in the Union. It jjrovides a two mill tax, a
poll tax, and authorizes the districts to vole a five
mill tax. This is the rule or rate voted in nearly
all the districts, thus making a total on all taxable
property of seven mills, besides the poll tax.
The persistent neglect of school officers to re-
port accurate returns of their school attendance is
to be regretted. The number of pupils of school
age (six to twenty-one years) is given, but no ac-
count of attendance or enrollment. This leaves
counties in the unfavorable light of a large school
population, with apparently the most meager at-
tendance. The following summaries exhibit the
progress of the public schools: Number of school
children, 1869, 176,910; 1870, 180,274; 1871,
196,237; 1872, 194,314; 1873, 148,128; 1874, 168,-
929; 1875, 168,929; 1876, 189,130; 1877, 203,567;
1878, 216,475: 1879, 236,600; 1880, 247,547; 1881,
272,841; 1882, 289,617; 1883, white, 227,538;
black, 76,429; total, 304,962; 1884. white, 247,-
173; black, 76,770; total, 323,943; 1885, white,
252,290; black, 86,213; total, 338,506; 1886,
white, 266,188; black, 91,818; total, 858,006;
1887, white, 279,224; black, 98,512; total, 377,-
736; 1888, white, 288,381; black, 99,747; total,
388,129. The number of pupils enrolled in 1869
was 67,412; 1888, 202,754, divided as follows:
White, 152,184; black, 50,570. Number of teach-
ers employed 1869, 1,335; number employed 1888,
males, 3,431, females, 1,233. Total number of
school houses, 1884, 1,453; erected that year, 263.
Total number school houses, 1888, 2,452; erected
in that year, 269. Total value of school houses,
1884, $384,827.73. Total value, 1888, $705,-
276.92. Total amount of revenues received, 1868,
$300,669.63. For the year, 1888: Amount on
hand June 30, 1887, $370,942.25; received com-
mon school fund, $315,403.28; district tax, $505,-
069.92; poll tax, $146,604.22; other sources,
$45,890.82; total, $1,683,909.32.
While there were in early Territorial days great
intellectual giants in Arkansas, the tendency was
not toward the tamer and more gentle walks of lit-
erature, but rather in the direction of the fiercer bat-
tles of the political arena and the rostrum. Oratory
was cultivated to the extreme, and often to the
neglect apparently of all else of intellectual pur-
suits. The ambitious youths had listened to the
splendid eloquence of their elders — heard their
praises on every lip, and were fired to struggle for
such triumphs. W^here there are great orators one
expects to find poets and artists. The great states-
man is mentally cast in molds of stalwart pro-
portions. The poet, orator, painter, and eminent
literary character are of a finer texture, but usually
not so virile.
Gen. Albert Pike gave a literary immortality to
Arkansas when it was yet a Territorial wilderness.
The most interesting incident in the history of
literature would be a true picture of that Nestor of
the press. Kit North, when he opened the mail
package from that dim and unknown savage
world of Arkansas, and turned his eyes on the
pages of Pike's manuscript, which had been offered
the great editor for publication, in his poem en-
titled "Hymn to the Gods." This great but mer-
ciless critic had written Byron to death, and one
can readily believe that he must have turned pale
when his eye ran over the lines — lines from an un-
known world of untamed aborigines, penned in the
wilderness by this unknown boy. North read the
products of new poets to find, not merit, but weak
points, where he could impale on his sharp and
pitiless pen the daring singer. What a play must
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
97
have swept over his features as his eye followed
line after line, eager and more eager from the first
word to the last. To him could this be possible —
real — and not the day dream of a disturbed im-
agination. This historical incident in the litera-
ture of the wild west — the pioneer boy not only on
the outer confines of civilization, but to the aver-
age Englishman, in the impenetrable depths of a
dark continent, where dwelt only cannibals, select-
ing the great and severe arbiter of English litera-
ture to whom he would transmit direct his fate as
a poet; the yoiith's unexpected triumph in not
only securing a jjlace in the columns of the leading
review of the world, but extorting in the editorial
columns the highest meed of praise, is unparalleled
in the feats of tyros in literature. The supremacy
of Pike's genius was dulled in its brilliancy be-
cause of the versatility of his mental occupations.
A poet, master of belles lettres, a lawyer and a poli-
tician, as well as a soldier, and eminent in all the
varied walks he trod, yet he was never a book-
maker — had no ambition, it seems, to be an author.
The books that he will leave, those especially by
which he will be remembered, will be his gathered
and bound writings thrown off at odd intervals and
cast aside. His literary culture could produce only
the very highest type of effort. Hence, it is prob-
able that Lord North was the only editor living to
whom Pike might have submitted his ' ' Hymn to
the Gods ' ' with other than a chance whim to de-
cide its fate.
There was no Boswell among the early great
men of Arkansas, otherwise there would exist biog-
raphies laden with instruction and full of interest.
There were men and women whose genius com-
pelled them to talk and write, but they wrote dis-
connected, uncertain sketches, and doubtless often
published them in the columns of some local news-
paper, where they sank into oblivion.
The erratic preacher-lawyer, A. W. Arrington,
wrote many and widely published sketches of the
bench and bar of Ai'kanaas, but his imagination
so out-ran the facts that they became mere fictions
— very interesting and entertaining, it is said,
but entirely useless to the historian. Arrington
was a man of superior natural genius, but was so
near a moral wreck as to cloud his memory.
Years ago was published Nutall's History of
Arkansas, but the most diligent inquiry among
the oldest inhabitants fails to find one who ever
heard of the book, much less the author.
Recently John Hallum published his History
of Arkansas. The design of the author was to
make three volumes, the first to treat of the
bench and bar, but the work was dropped after
this volume was published. It contains a great
amount of valuable matter, and the author has
done the State an important service in making his
collections and putting them in durable form.
A people with so many men and women com-
petent to write, and who have written so little of
Arkansas, its people or its great historical events,
presents a curious phase of society.
A wide and inviting field has been neglected
and opportunities have been lost; facts have now
gone out of men's memories, and important histor-
ical incidents passed into oblivion beyond recall.
Opie P. Read, now of Chicago, will be known
in the future as the young and ambitious literary
worker of Arkansas. He came to Little Rock
from his native State, Tennessee, and engaged in
work on the papers at that city. He soon had
a wide local reputation and again this soon grew
to a national one. His fugitive pieces in the news-
papers gained extensive circulation, and in quiet
humor and unaffected pathos were of a high order.
He has written several works of fiction and is now
running through his paper. The Arkansaw Traveler,
Chicago, a novel entitled "The Kentucky Colonel,"
already pronounced by able critics one among
the best of American works of fiction. Mr. Read
is still a comparatively young man, and his pen
gives most brilliant promise for the future. His
success as an editor is well remembered.
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
III.
The Churches of Arkansas— Appearance of the Missionaries— Church Missions Established in the
Wilderness— The Leading Protestant Denominations— Ecclesiastical Statistics-
General Outlook from a Keligious Standpoint.
No silver saints by dying misers giv'n
Here bribed the rage of ill-requited Heav'n;
But such plain roofs as piely could raise.
And only vocal with the Maker's praise. — Pope.
■'^^W. 5r ^^^ -^ ^^^ histories of the early
^'^' ' ^ fe life ^ settlers the pioneer preach-
^^'.^^A** fX ^' M» j^^ ers and missionaries of the
""lll^l^f ^^r* Church are of first inter-
Ji ^"^i '^■"'tI^V ®^^" True missionaries, re-
x.;.V,uT^^ gardlesB of all creeds, are
•: a most interesting study,
and, in the broad principles of Chris-
tianity, they may well be considered
as a class, with only incidental refer-
. ences to their different creeds. The
'^I'^Ar essence of their remarkable lives is
the heroic work and suffering they so
cheerfully undertook and carried on
so patiently and bravely. Among the
first of pioneers to the homes of the
-^ red savages were these earnest church-
men, carrying the news of Mount Calvary to the
benighted peoples. It is difficult for us of this
age to understand the sacrifices they made, the
privations they endured, the moral and physical
courage required to sustain them in their work.
The churches, through their missionaries, carried
the cross of Christ, extending the spiritual empire
in advance, nearly always, of the temporal empire.
They bravely led the way for the hardy explorers,
and ever and anon a martyr's body was given to
the flames, or left in the trackless forests, food for
ravenous wild beasts.
The first white men to make a lodgment in
what is now Arkansas having been Marquette and
Joliet, France and the Church thus came here
hand in hand. The Spanish and French settlers
at Arkansas Post were the representatives of Cath-
olic nations, as were the French-Canadians who
came down from the lakes and settled along the
banks of the lower Mississippi River.
After 1803 there was another class of pion-
eers that came in — Protestant English by descent
if not direct, and these soon dominated in the
Arkansas country. The Methodists, Baptists and
Cumberland Presbyterians, after the building of
the latter by Rev. Finis Ewing, were the pre-
vailing pioneer preachers. Beneath God's first
temples these missionaries held meetings, traveled
over the Territory, going wherever the little col-
umn of blue smoke from the cabin directed them,
as well as visiting the Indian tribes, proclaiming
Christ and His cause. Disregarding the elements,
swollen streams, the dim trails, and often no other
guide on their dreary travels than the projecting
ridges, hills and streams, the sun or the polar star;
facing hunger, heat and cold, the wild beast and the
far fiercer savage, without hope of money compen-
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
y9
satioQ, regardless of sickness and even death, these
men took their lives in their hands and went forth.
Could anything be more graphic or pathetic of the
conditions of these men than the extract from a
letter of one of them who had thus served his God
and fellow-man more than fifty years : "In my long
ministry I often suffered for food and I spent
no money for clothing. * * The large.st
yearly salary I received was $100." Were ever
men inspired with more zeal in the cause of their
Master ? They had small polish and were as rugged
as the gnarled old oaks beneath whose branches
they so often bivouacked. They never tasted the
refinements of polite life, no doubt despising them
as heartily as they did sin itself. Rude of speech,
what eloquence they possessed (and many in this
respect were of no mean order) could only come
of their deep sincerity.
These Protestant missionaries trod closely upon
the footsteps of the pure and gentle Marquette in
the descent of the Mississippi, and the visits to
the Indians amid the cane-brakes of the South.
Marquette's followers had been the first to ascend
the Arkansas River to its source in the far distant
land of the Dakotas in the Northwest. Holding
aloft the cross, they boldly entered the camps of the
tribes, and patiently won upon them until they laid
down their drawn tomahawks and brought forth
the calumet of peace. These wild childi'en gath-
ered around these strange beings — visitors, as they
supposed, from another world, and wherever a
cross was erected they regarded it with fear and
awe, believing it had supreme power over them
and their tribes.
He who would detract from the deserved im-
mortality of any of these missionaries on account of
their respective creeds, could be little else than a
cynic whose blood is acid.
Marquette first explored the Mississippi River
as the representative of the Catholic Church.
The old church baptismal records of the mis-
sion of Arkansas Post extend back to 1764, and the
ministrations of Father Louis Meurin, who signed
the record as "missionary priest." This is the
oldest record to be found of the church's recog-
nition of Arkansas now extant. That Marquette
held church service and erected the cross of Christ
nearly one hundred years anterior to the record
date in Arkansas is given in the standard histories
of the United States. Rev. Girard succeeded
Meurin. It may be gleaned from these records
that in 1788 De La Valliere was in command of
Arkansas Post. In 1786 the attending priest was
Rev. Louis Guigues. The record is next signed by
Rev. Gibault in 1792, and next by Rev. Jannin in
1796. In 1820 is found the name of Rev. Chau-
dorat. In 1834 Rev. Dupuy, and in 1838 Father
Donnelly was the priest in charge. These remained
in custody of the first mission at Arkansas Post.
The second mission established was St. Mary's,
now Pine Bluff. The first priest at that point was
Rev. Saulmier. Soon after, another mission, St.
Peter's, was established in Jefferson County, and
the third mission, also in Jefferson County, was
nest established at Plum Bayou. In order, the
next mission was at Little Rock, Rev. Emil Saul-
mier in charge; then at Fort Smith; then Helena,
and next Napoleon and New Gasconj', respectively.
The Catholic population of the State is esti-
mated at 10,000, with a total number of chiirches
and missions of forty. There are twenty-two
church schools, convents and academies, the school
attendance being 1,600. The first bishop in the
Arkansas diocese was Andrew Byrne, 1844. He
died at Helena in 1862, his successor being the
present incumbent. Bishop Edward FitzGerald,
who came in 1867.
From a series of articles published in the Ar-
kansas Methodist, of the current year, by the emi-
nent and venerable Rev. Andrew Hunter, D. D. ,
are gleaned the following important facts of this
Church's history in Arkansas: Methodism came to
Ai-kansas by way of Missouri about 1814, a com-
pany of emigrants entering from Southeast Mis-
souri overland, and who much of the way had to
cut out a road for their wagons. They had heard
of the rich lands in Mound Prairie, Hempstead
County. In this company were John Henrey, a
local preacher, Alexander and Jacob Shook, broth-
ers, and Daniel Props. In their long slow travels
they reached the Arkansas River at Little Rock,
and waited on the opposite bank for the comple-
100
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
tion of a ferry-boat then building. When these
people reached their destination they soon set uj)
a church, and erected the first Methodist ' ' meet-
ing-house " in Arkansas, called Henrey's Chapel.
"Father Henrey," as he was soon known far and
wide, reared sons, all preachers. This little col-
ony were all sincere Methodists, and nearly all
their first generation of sons became preachers,
some of them eminent. Jacob Shook and three
of his sons entered the ministry; Gilbert Alex-
ander, his sons and grandsons, became ministers
of God's word, as did two of Daniel Props' sons.
The small colony was truly the seed of the church
in Arkansas.
In 1838 two young ministers were sent from
Tennessee to the Arkansas work, and came all
the way to Mound Prairie on horseback.
The church records of Missouri show that the
conference of ]817 sent two preachers to Arkan-
sas — William Stevenson and John Harris. They
were directed to locate at Hot Springs. It is
conceded that these two missionaries "planted
Methodism in Arkansas."
In 1818 the Missouri Conference sent four
laborers to Arkansas, with William Stevenson as
the presiding elder of the Territory. The circuits
then had: John Shader, on Spring River; Thomas
Tennant, Arkansas circuit; W. Orr, Hot Springs;
William Stevenson and James Lowrey, Mound
Prairie. What was called the Arkansas circuit in-
cluded the Arkansas River, from Pine Bluff to the
mouth. After years of service as presiding elder,
Stevenson was succeeded by John Scripps; the ap-
pointments then were: Arkansas circuit, Dennis
Willey; Hot Springs, Isaac Brookfield; Mound
Prairie, John Harris; Pecan Point, William Town-
send. The Missouri Conference, 1823, again made
William Stevenson presiding elder, with three itin-
erants for Arkansas. In 1825 Jesse Hale became
presiding elder. He was in charge until 1829. He
was an original and outspoken abolitionist, and
taught and preached his faith unreservedly; so
much so that large numbers of the leading fam-
ilies left the Methodist Episcopal Church and
joined the Cumberland Presbyterians. This was
the sudden building up of the Cumberland Pres-
byterian Church, and nearly fatally weakened the
Methodist Church. Some irreverent laymen desig-
nated Elder Jesse Hale's ministrations as the
' ' Hail storm ' ' in Arkansas. Fortunately Hale
was succeeded by Rev. Jesse Green, and he poured
oil on the troubled waters, and saved Methodism
in Arkansas. " Green was our Moses. "
The Tennessee Conference, 1831, sent eight
preachers to Ai'kansas, namely: Andrew D. Smyth,
John Harrell, Henry G. Joplin, William A. Boyce.
William G. Duke, John N. Hammill, Alvin Baird
and Allen M. Scott.
A custom of those old time preachers now
passed away is worth preserving. When possi-
ble to do so they went over the circuit together,
two and two. One might preach the regular ser-
mon, when the other would ' ' exhort. ' ' Under these
conditions young Rev. Smyth was accompanying
the regular circuit rider. He was at first diffi-
dent, and ' ' exhorted ' ' simply by giving his hearers
" Daniel in the lion's den." As the two started
around the circuit the second time, on reaching a
night appointment, before entering the house, and
as they were returning from secret prayer in the
brush, the preacher said: "Say, Andy, I'm going
to preach, and when I'm done you give 'em
Daniel and the lions again. " Evidently Andy and
his lions were a terror to the natives. But the
young exhorter soon went up head, and became a
noted divine.
The Missouri Conference, 1832, made two dis-
tricts of Arkansas. Rev. A. D. Smyth had charge
of Little Rock district, which extended over all the
country west, including the Cherokee and Creek
Nations.
The formation of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, occurred in 1844. This is a well
known part of the history of our country. In Ar-
kansas the church amid all its trials and vicissi-
tudes has grown and flourished. The State now
has fifteen districts, with 200 pastoral charges, and,
it is estimated, nearly 1,000 congregations.
The Methodist Episcopal Church has a com-
fortable church in Little Rock, and several good
sized congregations in different portions of the
State. This church and the Methodist Episcopal
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
101
Church, South, are separate and wholly distinct
in their organization.
The Baptists are naturally a pioneer and fron-
tier church people. They are earnest and sincere
proselyters to the faith, and reach very effectively
people in general. The Baptist Church in Ben-
ton celebrated, July 4, 1889, its fifty-third anni-
versary. Originally called Spring Church, it was
built about two miles from the town. The organi-
zation took place under the sheltering branches of
an old oak tree. One of the first churches of this
order was the Mount Bethel Church, about six
miles west of Arkadelphia, in Clark County. This
was one of the oldest settled points by English
speaking people in the State. The church has
grown with the increase of population.
Rev. James M. Moore organized in Little Rock,
in 1828, the first Presbj^terian Church in Arkan-
sas. He was from Pennsylvania, eminent for his
ability, zeal and piety. For some time he was
the representative of his church in a wide portion
of the country south and west. He was succeeded
by Rev. A. R. Banks, from the theological sem-
inary of Columbia, S. C. , who settled in Hempstead
County in 1835-36 and organized and built Spring
Hill Church, besides another at Washington. The
next minister in order of arrival was Rev. John
M. Erwin. He located at Jackson, near the old
town of Elizabeth, but his life was not spared long
after coming. He assisted Revs Moore and Banks
in organizing the first presbytery in Arkansas.
In 1839 Rev. J. M. Moore, mentioned above,
removed to what is now Lonoke County, and or-
ganized a congregation and built Sylvania Church.
His successor at Little Rock was Rev. Henderson,
in 1840. The death of Rev. Henderson left no
quorum, and the Arkansas presbytery became /«7ic-
tus officio.
Rev. Aaron Williams, from Bethel presbytery,
South Carolina, came to Arkansas in 1842, and
settled in Hempstead County, taking charge of a
large new academy at that place, which had been
built by the p'ealthy people of the locality. He at
once re-organized the church at Washington, which
had been some time vacant. Arkansas then be-
longed to the synod of Mississippi. In 1842, in
company with Rev. A. R. Banks, he traveled
over the swamps and through the forests 400 miles
to attend the Mississippi synod at Port Royal.
Their mission was to ask the synod to allow Revs.
Williams, Moore, Banks and Shaw to organize the
Arkansas presbytery. They obtained the permis-
sion, and meeting in Little Rock the first Sunday
in January, 1843, organized the Arkansas presby-
tery. The Rev. Balch had settled in Dardanelle,
and he joined the new presbytery. In the next
few years Revs. Byington and Kingsbury, Con-
gregational ministers, who had been missionaries to
the Indians since 1818, also joined the Arkansas
presbytery. The synod of Memphis was subse-
quently formed, of which Arkansas was a part.
There were now three presbyteries west of Mem-
phis: Arkansas, Ouachita and Indian. In 1836
Arkansas was composed of four presbyteries — two
Arkansas and two Ouachita.
Rev. Aaron Williams assumed charge at Little
Rock in 1843, where he remained until January,
1845. There was then a vacancy for some years
in that church, when the Rev. Joshua F. Green
ministered to the flock. He was succeeded by
Rev. Thomas Eraser, who continued until 1859.
All these had been supplies, and in 1859 Little
Rock was made a pastorate, and Rev. Thomas R.
Welch was installed as first pastor. He filled the
position the next twenty-five years, and in 1885
resigned on account of ill health, and was sent
as counsel to Canada, where he died. About the
close of his pastorate, the Second Presbyterian
Church of Little Rock was organized, and their
house built, the Rev. A. R. Kennedy, pastor. He
resigned in September, 1888, being succeeded by
James R. Howerton. After the resignation of Dr.
Welch of the First Church, Dr. J. C. Barrett was
given charge.
Rev. Aaron Williams, after leaving the synod,
became a synodical evangelist, and traveled over
the State, preaching wherever he found small col-
lections of people, and organizing churches. He
formed the church at Fort Smith and the one in
Jackson County.
A synodical college is at Batesville, and is
highly prosperous.
102
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
lit -f it Xl¥.
Names Illustrious in Arkansas History— Prominent Mention of Noted Individuals— Ambrose
H. Sevier— William E. Woodruff— John Wilson— John Hemphill— Jacob Barkman— Dr.
Bowie— Sandy Faulkner— Samuel H. Hempstead— Trent, Williams, Siiinn Families,
and Others— The Convvays— Robert Crittenden— Archibald Yell— Judge
David Walker— Gen. G. D. Royston— Judge James W. Bates.
The gen'ral voice
Sounds him, for courtesy, behaviour, language
And ev'ry fair demeanor, an example;
Titles of honour add not to his worth,
Who is himself an honour to his title. — Ford.
:D
O history of Arkansas, worthy
of the name, could fail to
refer to the lives of a num-
ber of its distinguished
citizens, whose relation to
4^ great public events has
made them a part of the
true history of their State.
The following sketches of repre-
sentative men will be of no little
interest to each and every reader
of the present volume.
Ambrose H. Sevier, was one of
the foremost of the prominent men
of his day, and deserves especial
mention. The recent removal of
the remains of Gen. John Sevier from
Alabama to Knoxville, Tenn. (June 19,
1889), has awakened a wide-spread inter-
est in this historic family name. The re-interment
of the illustriotrs ashes of the first governor, found-
er and Congressman of Tennessee, by the State he
had made, was but an act of long deferred justice
to one of the most illustrious and picturesque char-
acters in American history. He founded two States
and was the first governor of each of them; one of
these States, Tennessee, he had, in the spirit of dis-
interested patriotism, erected on the romantic ruins
of the other — the mountain State of "Franklin."
A distinguished Revolutionary soldier, he was the
hero of King's Mountain, where he and four broth-
ers fought. He was first governor of the State
of ' ' Franklin, ' ' six times governor of Tennessee,
three times a member of Congress, and in no in-
stance did he ever have an opponent to contest
for an office. He was in thirty-five hard fought
battles; had faced in bitter contest the State of
North Carolina, which secretly arrested and ab-
ducted him from the new State he had carved out
of North Carolina territory; was rescued in open
court by two friends, and on his return to his ad-
herents as easily defeated the schemes of North
Carolina as he had defeated, in many battles, the
Cherokee Indians. No man ever voted against
' ' Nolichucky Jack, " as he was familiarly called —
no enemy ever successfully stood before him in
battle. A great general, statesman^ and patriot,
he was the creator and builder of commonwealths
west of the Alleghanies, and he guided as greatly
and wisely as did Washington and Jefferson the
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
103
new States and Territories he formed in the paths
of democratic freedom ; and now, after he has slept
in an obscure grave for three quarters of a century,
the fact is beginning to dawn upon the nation that
Gov. John Sevier made Washington, and all that
great name implies, a possibility.
The name, illustrious as it is ancient, numer-
ous and wide-spread, is from the French Pyrenees,
Xavier, where it may be traced to remote times.
St. Francis Xavier was of this family, and yet the
American branch were exiles from the old world
because of their revolt against papal tyranny.
Sturdy and heroic as they were in the faith, their
blood was far more virile, indeed stalwart, in de-
fense of human rights and liberty, wherever or by
whomsoever assailed.
In France, England and in nearly every West-
ern and Southern State of the Union are branches
of the Xaviers, always prominent and often emi-
. nent in their day and time. But it was reserved
to the founder of the American branch of the
Seviers to be the supreme head of the illustrious
line. He builded two commonwealths and was im-
pelled to this great work in defense of the people,
and in resistance to the encroachments of the cen-
tral powers of the paternal government.
In Arkansas the Seviers, Conways and Rectors
were united by ties of blood as well as by the ever
stronger ties of the sons of liberty, independence
and patriotism. Here were three of the most
powerful families the State has ever had, and in
public affairs they were as one. The political
friend and worthy model of Gov. John Sevier was
Thomas Jefferson. Indeed, Gen. Sevier was the
fitting and immortal companion-piece to Jefferson
in those days of the young and struggling repub-
lic. The Seviers of Arkansas and Missouri were
naturally the admirers of Andrew Jackson— cham-
pions of the people's rights, watchdogs of liberty.
Ambrose H. Sevier, was the son of John, who
was the son of Valentine and Ann Conway Sevier,
of Greene County, Tenn. Ann Conway was the
daughter of Thomas and Ann Rector Conway.
Thus this family furnished six of the governors of
Arkansas.
In 1821. soon after Mr. Sevier's coming to Ar-
kansas, he was elected clerk of the Territorial
house of representatives. In 1823 he was elected
from Pulaski County to the legislature, and con-
tinued a member and was elected speaker in 1827.
He was elected to Congress in August, 1828, to
succeed his uncle, Henry W. Conway, who had
been killed in a duel with Crittenden. He was
three times elected to Congress. When the State
came into the Union, Sevier and William S. Fulton
were elected tirst senators in Congress. Sevier
resigned his seat in the Senate in 1848, to accept
the mission of minister plenipotentiary to Mexico,
and, in connection with Judge Clifford, negotiated
the treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalgo. This was the
last as well as crowning act of his life. He died
shortly after returning from bis mission. The
State has erected a suitable monument to his mem-
ory in Mount Holly Cemetery, Little Rock, where
sleeps his immortal dust.
How curiously fitting it was that the Sevier
of Arkansas should follow so closely in the foot-
steps of the great governor of Tennessee, his lineal
ancestor, and be the instrument of adding so^ im-
mensely to the territory out of which have grown
such vast and rich commonwealths. As builders
of commonwealths there is no name in American
history which approaches that of Sevier. A
part of the neglect — the ingratitude, possibly — of
republics, is shown in the fact that none of the
States of which they gave the Union so many bear
their family name.
William E. Woodruff was in more than one
sense a pioneer to Arkansas. He was among
the distinguished men who first hastened here
when the Territory was formed, and brought with
him the pioneer newsjsaper press, and established
the Arkansas Gazette. This is now a flourishing
daily and weekly newspaper at the State capital,
and one of the oldest papers in the country. Of
himself alone there was that in the character and
life of Mr. Woodruff which would have made him
one of the historical pioneers to cross the Missis-
sippi River, and cast his fortune and future in this
new world. But he was a worthy disciple and
follower of Ben. Franklin, who combined with the
art preservative of arts, the genius that lays found-
104
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
ations for empires in government, and the yet far
greater empires in the fields of intellectual life.
He was a native of Long Island, Suffolk Coun-
ty, N. Y. Leaving his home in 1818, upon the
completion of his apprenticeship as printer, with
the sparse proceeds of his earnings as apprentice
he turned his face westward. Reaching Wheel-
ing, Va. , he embarked in a canoe for the falls of
the Ohio, now Louisville, where he stopped and
worked at his trade. Finding no sulScient open-
ing to permanently locate in this place, he started
on foot, by way of Russellville, to Nashville, Tenn. ,
and for a time worked at his trade in that place
and at Franklin. Still looking for a possible
future home further west, he heard of the Act of
Congress creating the Territory of Arkansas, to
take effect July 4, 1819. He at once purchased
a small outfit for a newspajaer ofSce and started to
the newly formed Territory, determined if possible
to be first on the ground. He shipped by keel-boat
down the Cumberland river, the Ohio and the
Mississippi Rivers to Montgomery's Point, at the
mouih of White River; thence overland to Arkansas
Post, the first Territorial capital. Montgomery
Point was then, and for some years after, the main
shipping point for the interior points of the
Arkansas Territory. From this place to the capi-
tal, he found nothing but a bridle-path. He
therefore secured a pirogue, and with the services
of two boatmen, passed through the cut-off to
Arkansas River and then up this to Arkansas Post,
reaching his point of destination October 31, 1819.
So insignificant was the Post that the only way he
could get a house was to build one, which he did,
and November 20, 1819, issued the first paper —
the Arkansas Gazette. He was the entire force of
the office — mechanical, clerical and editorial. To-
day his own work is his fitting and perpetual
monument — linking his name indissolubly with
that of Arkansas and immortality.
His genius was in the direct energy and the
impelling forces which drove it with the sure cer-
tainty of fate over every opposing obstacle. Broad,
strong and great in all those qualities which
characterize men pre- eminent in the varied walks
of life; a true nation founder and builder, his
useful life was long spared to the State, which will
shed luster to itself and its name by honoring the
memory of one of its first and most illustrious
pioneers — William E. Woodruff.
Reference having been made to John Wilson
in a previous chapter, in connection with his un-
fortunate encounter with J. J. Anthony, on the
floor of the hall of the legislature, it is but an act
of justice that the circumstances be properly ex-
plained, together with some account of the man-
ner of man he really was.
John Wilson came from Kentucky to Arkansas
in the early Territorial times, 1820. His wife was
a Hardin, of the noted family of that State — a sis-
ter of Joseph Hardin, of Lawrence County, Ark.,
who was speaker of the first house of representa-
tives of the Territorial legislature. The Wilsons
and Hardins were prominent and highly respecta-
ble people.
When a very young man, John Wilson was
elected to the Territorial legislature, where he was
made speaker and for a number of terms filled that
office. He was a member of the first State legis-
lature and again was elected speaker. He was the
first president of the Real Estate Bank of Arkan-
sas. Physically he was about an average-sized
man, very quiet in his manner and retiring, of dark
complexion, eyes and hair, lithe and sinewy in
form, and in his daily walk as gentle as a woman.
He was devoted to his friends, and except for
politics, all who knew him loved him well. There
was not the shadow of a shade of the bully or des-
perado about him. He was a man of the highest
sense of personal honor, with an iron will, and even
when aroused or stung by injustice or an attack
upon his integrity his whole nature inclined to
peace and good will. He was a great admirer of
General Jackson — there was everything in the
natures of the two men where the "fellow feeling
makes us wondrous kind."
The difficulty spoken of occurred in 1836. Wil-
son was a leader in the Jackson party. Anthony
aspired to the lead in the Whig party. At that
time politics among the active of each faction meant
personality. It was but little else than oj^en war,
and the frontier men of those days generally went
armed, the favorite weapon being the bowie
knife —a necessary part of a banter's equipment.
Unfriendly feelings existed between Wilson and
Anthony.
Upon the morning of the homicide (in words
the substance of the account given by the late
Gen. G. D. Royston, who was an eye witness)
Mr. Wilson came into the hall a little late, evi-
dently disturbed in mind, and undoubtedly ruf-
fled by reason of something he had been told that
Mr. Anthony had previously said about him in dis-
cussing a bill concerning wolf scalps. A serio-
comic amendment had been offered to the bill to
make scalps a legal tender, and asking the presi-
dent of the Real Estate Bank to certify to the
genuineness of the same. Anthony had the floor.
W^hen Wilson took the speaker's chair he com-
manded Anthony to take his seat. The latter
brusquely declined to do so. Wilson left the chair
and approached his opponent, who stood in the
aisle. The manner of the parties indicated a per-
sonal encounter. As Wilson walked down the aisle
he was seen to put his hand in the bosom of his
vest. Anthony drew his knife. Gen. Royston said
that when he saw this, hoping to check the two
men he raised his chair and held it between them,
and the men fought across or over the chair. They
struck at each other inflicting great wounds, which
were hacking blows. Wilson's left hand was nearly
cut off in warding a blow from Anthony's knife.
Wilson was physically a smaller man than Anthony.
Royston held the chair with all his strength be-
tween the two now desperate individuals. So far
Anthony's longer arm had enabled him to give the
greatest wound.s, when Wilson with his shoulder
raised the chair and plunged his knife into his
antagonist, who sank to the floor and died immedi-
ately. It was a duel with bowie-knives, without
any of the preliminaries of siich encounters.
Wilson was carried to his bed, where for along
time he was confined. The house expelled him
the next day. The civilized world of course was
shocked, so bloody and ferocious had been the
engagement.
Wilson removed to Texas about 1842, locating
at Cedar Grove, near Dallas, where he died soon
after the close of the late war. Mrs. A. J. Gentry,
his daughter, now resides in Clark County, Ark.
The Hardins, living in Clark County, are of the
same family as was Mrs. Wilson.
John Hemphill, a South Carolinian, was born
a short distance above Augusta, Ga. He immi-
grated west and reached (now) Clark County, Ark.,
in 1811, bringing with him a large family and a
number of slaves, proceeding overland to Bayou
Sara, La. , and from that point by barges to near
where is Arkadelphia, then a settlement at a place
called Blakeleytown, which was a year old at the
time of Mr. Hemphill's location. He found living
there on his arrival Adam Blakeley, Zack Davis,
Samuel Parker, Abner Highnight and a few others.
Mr. Hemphill was attracted by the salt waters
of the vicinity, and after giving the subject intel-
ligent investigation, in 1814 built his salt works.
Going to New Orleans, he procured a barge and
purchased a lot of sugar kettles, and with these
completed his preparations for making salt. His
experiment was a success from the start and he
carried on his extensive manufactory until his
death, about 1825. The works were continued by
his descendant^., with few intermissions, until 1851.
Jonathan O. Callaway, his son in-law, was, until
that year, manager and proprietor.
There is a coincidence in the lives of the two
men who were the founders of commerce and man-
ufacturing in Arkansas, Hemphill and Barkman,
in that by chance they became traveling compan-
ions on their way to the new country.
Two brothers, Jacob and John Barkman, came
to Arkansas in 1811. They worked their passage
in the barge of John Hemphill, from Bayou Sara,
La., to Blakeleytown, near Arkadelphia. They
were a couple of young Kentuckians, full of cour-
age, hope, and strong sense, seeking homes in the
wilderness. Their coming antedated that of the
first steamboat on western waters, and the history
of the river commerce of this State with New Or-
leans will properly credit Jacob Barkman with
being its founder. Considering the times and real-
izing what such men as Jacob Barkman did, one
is constrained to the belief that among the tirst
settlers of Arkansas were men of enterprise, fore-
106
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
sight and daring in commerce that have certainly
not been surpassed by their successors.
On a previous page the methods of this pioneer
merchant in the conduct of his business have been
noted. His miscellaneous cargo of bear oil, skins,
pelts, tallow, etc., found a ready market in New
Orleans, which place he reached by river, return-
ing some six months later well laden with commod-
ities best suited to the needs of the people. In-
deed his ' ' store ' ' grew to be an important institu-
tion. He really carried on trade from New Orleans
to Arkadelphia. In 1820 he purchased of the gov-
ernment about 1,200 acres of land on the Caddo,
four miles from Ai-kadelphia, and farmed exten-
sively and had many cattle and horses, constantly
adding to the number of his slaves. Having
tilled the field where he was he sought wider op-
portunities, and in 1840, in company with J. G.
Pratt, opened an extensive cotton commission busi-
ness in New Orleans, building large warehouses
and stores. Mr. Barkman next purchased the
steamboat "Dime," a side- wheeler, finely built
and carrying 400 bales of cotton. He ran this in
the interest of the New Orleans commission house;
owned his crews, and loaded the boat with cot-
ton from his own plantation. In 1844 his boat
proudly brought up at New Orleans, well laden with
cotton. The owner was on board and full of hope
and anticipated joy at his trip, and also to meet
his newly married wife (the second), when these
hopes were rudely dashed by the appearance of an
officer who seized the boat, cargo and slaves, every-
thing — and arrested Mr. Barkman and placed him
in jail under an attachment for debts incurred by
the commission house. His partner in his absence
had wrecked the house.
To so arrange matters that he might get out of
jail and return to his old home on the Caddo, with
little left of this world' s goods, was the best the poor
man could do. He finally saved from the wreck-
age his fine farm and a few negroes, and, nothing
daunted, again went to work to rebuild his fortune.
He erected a cotton factory on the Caddo River,
and expended some $30,000 on the plant, having
it about ready to commence operating when the
water came dashing down the mountain streams in
a sudden and unusual rise, and swept it all away.
This brave pioneer spent no hour of his life in idle
griefs at his extraordinary losses. Though unscru-
pulous arts of business sharks and dire visitations
of the elements combined to make worthless his
superb foresight and business energy, he overcame
all obstacles, and died about 1852. a wealthy man
for that time.
When Arkansas was yet a Territory, among its
early pioneers was Dr. William Bowie, whose name
has become familiar to the civilized world, though
not in the way that most men are emulous of im-
mortality. Dr. Bowie had located, or was a frequent
visitor, in Helena, Ark. , and was a typical man of
his times — jolly, careless and social, and very fond
of hunting and fishing.
Among the first settlers in Little Rock was a
blacksmith, named Black. He possessed skill in
working in iron and steel, and soon gained a wide
reputation for the superior hunting knives he
made. When nearly every man hunted more or
less, and as a good knife was a necessity, it will
be seen that Black was filling a general want.
The material he worked into knives consisted of
old files.
One day while he was just finishing a superior
and somewhat new style of hunting knife, Dr.
Bowie happened to enter the shop. The moment
he saw the article he determined to possess it
at any price. Black had not really made it to
sell — simply to gratify a desire to see how fine a
blade he could make, and keep it. But a bargain
was finally arranged, the blacksmith to complete it
and put Bowie' s name on the handle. The inscrip-
tion being neatly done read: "Bowie's Knife. " Its
beauty and finish attracted wide attention, and all
who could afford it ordered a similar one, the name
of which was soon shortened into "Bowie Knife."
Bowie died a patriot's death, fighting for the in-
dependence of Texas, by the side of David Crockett.
The one pre-eminent thing which entitles the
Arkansas pioneer, Sandy Faulkner, to immortality
is the fact that he is the real, original "Arkansaw
Traveler. ' ' He was an early settler, a hunter, a wild,
jolly, reckless spendthrift, and a splendid fiddler.
He was of a wealthy Kentucky family, and settled
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
107
first ill Chicot County and thea on the river only a
few miles below Little Rock. By inheritance he
received two or three moderate fortunes, and spent
them royally. Of a roving nature, a witty and rol-
licking companion, he would roam through the
woods, hunting for days and weeks, and then en-
liven the village resorts for a while. He was born
to encounter just such a character as he did chance
to find, playing on a three-stringed fiddle the first
part of a particular tune. Now there was but cue
thing in this world that could touch his heart with
a desire to possess, and that was to hear the re-
mainder of the tune,
After meeting this rare character in the woods
what a world of enjoyment Sandy did carry to the
village on his next return! "With just enough
and not too much," with fiddle in his hand, the
villagers gathered about him while he repeated the
comedy. His zest in the ludicrous, his keen wit
and his inimitable acting, especially his power of
mimicry and his mastery of the violin, enabled him
to offer his associates an entertainment never
surpassed, either on or off the mimic stage.
After the war Faulkner lived in Little Rock
until his death in 1S75, in straitened circumstan-
ces, residing with a widowed daughter and one son.
Another son was killed in the war; the two daugh-
ters married and are both dead, and the son and
only remaining child left this portion of the coun-
try some years ago.
When Faulkner died — over eighty years of age
— he held a subordinate office in the legislature
then in session, which body adjourned and respect-
fully buried all that was mortal of the ' 'Arkansaw
Traveler," while the little viorceau from his
harmless and genial soul will continue to travel
around the world and never stop, the thrice wel-
come guest about every fireside.
What a comment is here in this careless, aim-
less life and that vaulting ambition that struggles,
and wars and suffers and sows the world with
woe that men' s names may live after death. Poor
Sandy had no thought of distinction; his life was a
laugh, so unmixed with care for the morrow and
so merry that it has filled a world with its cease-
less echoes.
Though there may be in this country no titled
aristocracy, there are nobles, whose remotest de-
scendants may claim that distinction of race and
blood which follows the memory of the great deeds
of illustrious sires. It is the nobles whose lives
and life' s great work were given to the cause of their
fellowmen in that noblest of all human efforts — ■
liberty to mankind. There is something forever
sacred lingering about the graves, nay, the very
ground, where these men exposed their lives and
struggled for each and all of us. All good men
(and no man can really be called good who does not
love liberty and independence above everything in
the world) cannot but feel a profound interest in
the lineal descendants of Revolutionary fathers.
"My ancestor was a soldier in the war for inde-
pendence!" is a far nobler claim to greatness than
is that of the most royal blue blood in all heraldry.
W. P. Huddleston, of Sharp's Cross Roads,
Independence County, has the following family
tree: Israel McBee was for seven years a soldier
in a North Carolina regiment in the Revolutionary
War. He died in Grainger County, Term., aged
110 years. He was the father of Samuel McBee,
who was the father of Rachel McBee, who married
John Huddleston, the grand father of W. P. Hud-
dleston, Jr. The McBees were originall}' from
Scotland.
Samuel S. Welborn, of Fort Douglas, Johnson
County, was the youngest son of Elias. Samuel
was born December 30, 1842. His grandfather,
Isaac Welborn, was seven years a soldier in a
Georgia regiment, and died at Hazel Green, Ala. ,
in 1833, aged eighty-four years.
Samuel H. Hempstead is a name illustrious in
Arkansas outside of the fact that it is descended
directly from a soldier in the war for independ-
ence. The above-named was born in New London,
Conn., in 1814, and died in Little Rock in 1862.
He was a son of Joseph Hempstead, born in New
London in 1778, and died in St. Louis in 1831.
Joseph was a son of Stephen Hempstead, born in
New London in 1742, and died in St. Louis in
1832. Stephen was a soldier in the American
Revolution, serving under Col. Ledyard at the
battle of Fort Griswold, near New London, when
^i^ .R
lOS
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
these towns were cajatured by the British under
Benedict Arnold, September 6, 1781. Hempstead
was wounded twice during the engagement — a
severe gunshot wound in the left elbow disabling
him in the arm for life. He wrote and published
in the Missouri Republican in 1826, a detailed ac-
count of the battle.
Stephen Hempstead's father was also Stephen
Hempstead, born in 1705 and died in 1774. The
records of Connecticut, Vol. VII, show that he
was made an ensign in a train band company,
by the colonial council, in October, 1737, where he
served with distinction through this war, known as
King George' s War. In May, 1740, he was made
surveyor by the council. He was the son of
Joshua Hempstead, born in 1678, and died in
1758. He was a representative in the Connecticut
council in October, 1709; a member of the Royal
council in October, 1712; ensign in train band com-
pany in 1721; lieutenant in same company in May,
1724; auditor of accounts in May, 1725. He was
the son of Joshua Hempstead, Sr. , born in 1649,
and died in 1709; Joshua Hempstead, Sr. , was a
son of Robert Hempstead, born in 1600 and died
in 1665. The last-named was the immigrant to
America, one of the original nine settlers of New
London, Conn., the founder of the town first called
Hempstead, on Long Island. In 1646 Robert
Hempstead built a house at New London for a res-
idence, which is still standing, an ancient relic of
great interest. It is occupied by descendants of
the builder, named Caits. from the fern ale branches.
Though much modernized the old house still shows
the j)ort-holes used for defense against the Indians.
A daughter of Robert Hempstead, Mary, was the
first white child born in New London, March 26,
1647.
Fay and Roy Hempstead, Little Rock, are de-
scendants of this family. Other descendants live
in St. Louis, Mo.
Jesse Williams, of Prince William County, Va.,
enlisted under Dinwiddle's call in the French-
Indian War on the English settlers in 1754,
under then Lieut. -Col. Washington, of the First
Virginia Regiment of 150 men. The command at-
tempted to reach where is now Pittsburg to relieve
Trent' s command at that jalace. Two descendants
of the Trents now live in Washington County. In
this hard inarch to Fort Duquesne the men dragged
their cannon, were without tents and scant of pro-
visions, and deprived of material or means for
bridging rivers. They fought at Fort Necessity.
Washington cut a road twenty miles toward Du-
quesne. On July 3 the fight took place, and July
4 Washington capitulated on honorable terms.
In 1755 Jesse Williams again entered the ser-
vice under Washington and joined Braddock at
Fort Cumberland. In 1758 he was once more with
Washington when Forbes moved on Fort Duquesne,
being present at the capture, and helped raise the
flag and name the place Pittsburg.
In the Revolutionary War he was one of the
first to enlist from Virginia, and was commissioned
captain, and was present in nearly all the battles
of that long war.
The maternal ancestor of the Williams family
was Thomas Rowe, of Virginia, a colonel in the war
for independence, who was at the surrender of
Yorktown.
David Williams, a son of Jesse, mari'ied Betsy
Rowe. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and
served with distinction, and also in the Seminole
War. He settled in ILpntucky, Franklin County.
His children were Jacob, Urban V., Betty, Mil-
lie, Hattie and Susan; the children t>f Urban V.
Williams being John, Pattie and Minnie. Bettie
married Jeptha Robinson, and had childi-en, David,
Owen, Austin, May, Hettie, Ruth, Sue, Jacob,
Frank and Sallie. Hettie married Dr. Andi'ew
Neat, and had children, Thomas, Estelle (Brink-
ley), Ella (Ford), Addis and Ben. Sue married
George Poor, and had children, George, Lizzie,
Sue and Minnie. Jacob Williams, the father of
Mrs. Minnie C. Shinn (wife of Prof. J. H. Shinn,
of Little Rock), Otis Williams and Mattie Wil-
liams, Little Rock; Joseph Desha Williams and
Maggie Wells, Russell ville; Lucian and Virgil,
Memphis, are all of this family. Jacob Williams
was a private in the Fifth Kentucky, in the late
war, under Humphrey Marshall.
Among the pioneers of what is now the State
of Arkansas, there was perhaps no one family that
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
loy
furnished so many noted characters and citizens
as the Conway family. Their genealogy is traced
' ' back to the reign of Edward I, of England, in the
latter part of the thirteenth century, to the cele-
brated Castle of Conway, on Conway River, in
the north of Wales, where the lords of Conway,
in feudal times presided in royal style." Thomas
Conway came to America about the year 1740,
and settled in the Virginia colony. Henry Conway
was his only son. The latter was tirst a colonel
and afterward a general in the Revolutionary War.
His daughter, Nellie, after marriage, became the
mother of President Madison, and his son, Mon-
cui-e D., was brother-in-law to Gen. Washington.
Thomas Conway, another son of Gen. Henry
Conway, settled, during the Revolutionary period,
near the present site of Greenville, Tenn. He
married Ann Rector, a native of Virginia, and
member of the celebrated Rector family. To this
union seven sons and three daughters were born,
and all were well reared and well educated.
In 1818, Gen. Thomas Conway moved with
his family from Tennessee to St. Louis, in the
Territory of Missouri, and soon after to Boone
County, where he remained until his death, in
1835. Henry Wharton- Conway, the eldest son,
was born March IS, 1793, in Greene County,
Tenn., and served as a lieutenant in the War of
1812-15; subsequently, in 1817, he served in the
treasury department at Washington, immigrated
to Missouri with his father in 1818, and early in
1820, after being appointed receiver of public
moneys, he immigrated in company with his next
younger brother, James Sevier Conway, who was
born in 1798, to the county of Arkansas, in the
then Territory of Missouri. These two brothers
took and executed large contracts to survey the
public lands, and later on James S. became
surveyor- general of the Territory. During the
twenties Henry W. Conway served two terms as a
delegate in Congress, and received the election
in 1827 for the third term, but on the 29th of
October of that year, he was mortally wounded in
a duel with Robert Crittenden, from the effects of
which he died on the 9th of November, following.
[See account of the duel elsewhere in this work.]
A marble shaft with an elaborate inscription,
erected by his brother, James S. Conway, stands
over his grave in the cemetery at Arkansas Post.
James S. Conway became the first governor
of the State of Arkansas, upon its admission into
the Union, serving as such from 1836 to 1810,
after which he settled on his princely possessions
on Red River in the southern part of the State.
He was a large slave holder and cotton planter.
He died on the 3d of March, 1855, at Walnut
Hill, his country seat, in Lafayette County.
Frederick Rector Conway, the third son of
Gen. Thomas Conway, was a noted character in
Missoui'i and Illinois. John Rector Conway, the
fourth son, was an eminent physician, who died in
San Francisco in 1868. William B. Conway was
born at the old homestead in Tennessee, about 180(5.
He was thoroughly educated, read law under
John J. Crittenden, of Kentucky, and commenced
the practice at Elizabethtown in that State. He
moved to Arkansas in 1840, and in 1844 was
elected judge of the Third circuit. In December,
1846, he was elected associate justice of the
supreme court. He died December 29, 1852, and
is buried by the side of his noble mother, in
Mount Holly Cemetery, Little Rock. The sixth
son, Thomas A., died in his twenty-second year in
Missouri.
The seventh and -youngest son. Gov. Elias N.
Conway, was born May 17, 1812, at the old home-
stead in Tennessee, and in November, 1833, he
left his parents' home in Missouri, and came to
Little Rock, and entered into a contract to survey
large tracts of the public lands in the northwest-
ern part of the State. Having executed this con-
tract, he was, in 1836, appointed auditor of State,
a position which he held for thirteen years. In
1852 and again in 1856, he was elected on the
Democratic ticket as governor of the . State, and
served his full two terms, eight years, a longer
period than any other governor has ever served.
Much could be said, did space permit, of the emi
nent services this man has rendered to Arkansas.
Of the seven brothers named he is the only one
now living. He leads a retired and secluded life
in Little Rock, in a small cottage in which he has
110
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
resided for over forty years. He has no family,
having never been married.
Robert Crittenden, youngest son of John Crit-
tenden, a major in the Revohitiouary Wav, was born
near Versailles, Woodford County, Ky., January
1, 1797. He was educated by and read law with
his brother, John J. Crittenden, in Russellville,
that State. Being appointed first secretary of
Arkansas Territory, he removed to Arkansas Post,
the temporary seat of government, where on the
3d day of March, 1819, he was inaugurated and
assumed the duties of his office. On the same
day James Miller was inaugurated first governor
of the Territory. It seems, however, that Gov.
Miller, though he held his oifice until succeeded by
Gov. George Izard, in March, 1825, was seldom
present and only occasionally performed official
duties. This left Crittenden to assume charge of
the position as governor a great portion of the
time while Miller held the office. Crittenden con-
tinued as secretary of the Territory until succeeded
by William Fulton, in April, 1829, having served
in that capacity a little over ten years. In 1827
he fought a duel with Henry W. Conway, the ac-
count of which is given elsewhere. According to
Gen. Albert Pike, with whom he was intimately
associated, ' ' he was a man of fine presence and
handsome face, with clear bright eyes, and unmis-
takable intellect and genius, frank, genial, one to
attach men warmly to himself, impulsive, generous,
warm hearted. ' ' He was the first great leader of
the Whig party in the Territory, and continued as
such rmtil his death, which occurred December 18,
1834, at Vicksburg, Miss., whither he had gone
on business. He died thus young, and before the
Territory, which he had long and faithfully served,
became a State.
Archibald Yell, not unfamiliar to Arkansans,
was born in North Carolina, in August, 1797, and
while very young immigrated to Tennessee, and
settled in Bedford County. He served in the Creek
War as the boy captain of the Jackson Guards,
under Gen. Jackson, also under the same general
in the War of 1812-13, participating in the battle
of New Orleans, and also in the Seminole War.
He was a man of moderate education, and when
the War of 1812 closed, he read law and was ad-
mitted to the bar in Tennessee. After the close of
the Seminole War, he located at Fayetteville, Lin-
coln County, Tenn., and there practiced law until
1832, when President Jackson gave him the choice
to fill one of two vacancies, governor of Florida
or Territorial judge in the Territory of Arkansas.
He chose the latter and in due time located at
Fayetteville, in Washington County. He was a
man of fine personal appearance, pleasant and
humorous, and possessed the faculty of making
friends wherever he went. He was elected and
served as grand master of the Masonic fraternity
in the jurisdiction of Arkansas; was a Democrat
in politics, and the first member of Congress from
the State of Arkansas; was governor of the State
from 1840 to 1844; was elected again as a member
of Congress in 1844, and served until 1846, when
he resigned to accept the colonelcy of an Arkansas
regiment of volunteers for the Mexican War. He
was killed in the battle of Buena Vista, February
22, 1847.
In his race for Congress in 1844, he was op-
posed by the Hon. David Walker, the leader of the
Whig party, and they made a joint canvass of the
State. Yell could adapt iiimself to circumstances
— to the different crowds of people more freely than
could his antagonist. In 1847 the Masonic fra-"
ternity erected a monument to his memory in the
cemetery at Fayetteville. Gov. Yell was a man of
great ability, and one of the great pioneer states-
men of Arkansas.
The eminent jurist. Judge David Walker, de-
scended from a line of English Quakers, of whom
the last trans-Atlantic ancestor in the male line
was Jacob Walker, whose son George emigrated to
America prior to the war of the Revolution, and
settled in Brunswick County, Va. Here he mar-
ried a lady, native to the manor born, and be-
came the first American ancestor of a large and
distinguished family. One of his sons, Jacob
Wythe Walker, born in the decade that ushered
in the Revolution, early in life removed to and
settled in what is now Todd County, Ky. Here,
on the 19th day of February, 1806, was born un-
to him and his wife, Nancy (Hawkins) Walker,
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
11]
the subject of this sketch — David Walker. Young
Walker's opportunities for obtaining a school edu-
cation in that then frontier country were limited,
but, being the son of a good lawyer, he inherited
his father's energetic nature, became self-educated,
read law and was admitted to the bar in Scotts-
ville, Ky. , early in 1829, and there practiced
until the fall of 1830, when he moved to Little
Rock, Ark., arriving on the 10th of October.
Soon after this he located at Fayetteville, Wash-
ington County, and remained there, except when
temporarily absent, until his death. From 1833
to 1835 he was prosecuting attorney in the Third
circuit. He was one of the many able members of
the constitutional convention of 1836. In 1840 he
rode " the tidal wave of whiggery " into the State
senate, in which he served four years. In 1844 he
led the forlorn hope of his party in the ever memor-
able contest with Gov. Yell for Congress. In
1848, while on a visit to Kentucky, and without
his knowledge, a legislature, largely Democratic,
elected him associate justice of the supreme court
over strong Democratic opposition, embracing such
men as Judges English and William Conway, both
of whom afterwards succeeded to the office.
He had always been a lover of the Union, but
when the Civil War came on, having been born
and reared in the South, and having become
attached to its institutions, he finally chose rather
to cast his fortunes with the proposed Confederacy
than with the Federal Union. In Februar}^ 1801,
he was elected a delegate to the State convention
which convened on the 4th of March, and finally,
at its adjourned session, passed the ordinance of
secession. He and Judge B. C. Totten were can-
didates for the chairmanship of this convention,
the former representing the Union strength, and
the latter the disunion element as it was then
developed. Walker received forty out of the sev-
enty-five votes cast, and thereupon took the chair;
but owing to the rapid change of sentiment all of
the majority, save one, finally voted with the
minority, and Arkansas formally withdrew from the
Union, with Judge Walker as a leader. In 1866
he was elected chief justice of the State, but in
less than two years was removed from the office by
military power. At the close of the reconstruction
period he was again elected to the supreme bench
and served thereon until September, 1878, when
he resigned at the age of seventy-two, and retired
to private life. He died September 30, 1879. He
was a pious and conscientious man, an able jurist,
a pioneer of Arkansas, highly respected by its citi-
zens.
Gen. Grandison D. Royston, a son of Joshua
Royston and Elizabeth S. (Watson) Royston, na-
tives, respectively, of Maryland and Virginia, and
both of pure English descent, was born on the
9th of December, 1809, in Carter County, Tenn.
His father was an agriculturist and Indian trader
of great energy and character, and his mother
was a daughter of that eminent Methodist divine,
Rev. Samuel Watson, one of the pioneers of
the Holstein conference in East Tennessee. He
was educated in the common neighborhood schools
and in a Presbyterian academy in Washington
County, Tenn. In 1829 he entered the law office
of Judge Emerson, at Jonesboro, in that State,
and two years after was admitted to the bar. Sub-
sequently he emigrated to Arkansas Territory, and
in April, 1832, located in Fayetteville, Washing-
ton County, where he remained only eight months,
teaching school five days in the week and practic-
ing law in justices' courts on Saturdays. He then
moved to Washington, in Hempstead County,
where he continued to reside until his death. In
the performance of his professional duties he trav-
eled the circuits of the Territory and State in that
cavalcade of legal lights composed of such men as
Hempstead, Fowler, Trapnall, Cummins, Pike,
Walker, Yell, Ashley, Bates, Searcy and others.
In 1833 he was elected prosecuting attorney
for the Third circuit, and performed the duties of
that office for two years. In January, 1836, he
served as a delegate from Hempstead County in
the convention at Little Rock, which framed the
first constitution of the State; and in the fall of
the same year he was elected to represent his
county in the first legislature of the State. After
the expulsion of John Wilson, speaker of the house,
who killed Representative John J. Anthony, Roy-
ston was on joint ballot elected to fill the vacant
112
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
speakership but declined the office. In 1841
President Tyler appointed him United States dis-
trict attorney for the district of Arkansas, which
office he held a short time and then resigned it.
In 1858 he represented the counties of Hempstead,
Pike and Lafayette in the State legislatiire, and
became the author of the levee system of the State.
In 1861 he was elected to the Confederate Con-
gress, serving two years. In 1874 he was a dele-
gate from Hempstead County to the constitutional
convention, and was elected president of that
body. In 1876 he represented the State at large
in the National Democratic convention at St. Louis,
and voted for Tilden and Hendricks. He was al-
ways a Democrat, a man of culture, refinement and
winning manners, and enjoyed in a large degree
the confidence of the people. He obtained his
title as general by serving on the staff of Gov.
"Drew with the rank of brigadier-general. He
died August 14, 1S89, in his eightieth year. He,
too, was one of the last prominent pioneers of Ar-
kansas, and it is said he was the last surviving
member of the constitutional convention of 1836.
Judge James Woodson Bates was born in
Goochland County, Va.. about the year 1788. He
was educated in the Yale and Princeton Col-
leges, graduating from the latter about 1810.
^Vhen quite young he attended the trial of Aaron
Burr, for treason, at Richmond. Soon after grad-
uating he read law. In the meantime his brother,
Frederick Bates, was appointed first secretary of
Missouri Territory, and was acting governor in
the absence of Gov. Clark. About 1816 he fol-
lowed his brother to the AVest, and settled in St.
Louis. In 1820 he removed to the Post of Arkan-
sas and there began the practice of his profession,
but had scarcely opened his office when he was
elected first delegate to Congress from Arkansas
Territory. In 1823 he was a candidate for re-
election, but was defeated by the celebrated Henry
W. Conway, an able man, who commanded not
only the influence of his own powerful family, but
that of the Rectors, the Johnsons, Roanes and
Ambrose H. Sevier, and all the political adherents
of Gen. Jackson, then so popular in the South
and West. The influence and strength of this
combined opposition could not be overcome.
After his short Congressional career closed, he
moved to the newly settled town of Batesville, and
resumed the practice of his profession. Batesville
was named after him. In Novernber, 1825, Presi-
dent Adams appointed him one of the Territorial
judges, in virtue of which he was one of the
judges of the superior or appellate court organized
on the plan of the old English court in banc. On
the accession of Gen. Jackson to the presidency,
his commission expired without renewal, and he
soon after removed to Crawford County, married
a wealthy widow, and became stationary on a rich
farm near Van Buren. In the fall of 1835 he
was elected to the constitutional convention, and
contributed his ability and learning in the forma-
tion of our first organic law as a State Soon
after the accession of John Tyler to the presidency,
he appointed Judge Bates register of the land
office at Clarksville, in recognition of an old
friend. He discharged every public trust, and
all the duties devolved on him as a private citizen,
with the utmost fidelity. Strange to say, whilst
he possessed the most fascinating conversational
powers, he was a failure as a public speaker. He
was also a brother to Edward Bates, the attorney-
general in President Lincoln's cabinet. He was
well versed in the classics, and familiar with the
best authors of English and American literature.
He died at his home in Crawford County in 1846,
universally esteemed.
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
113
•'i&J'W^^"
Legal Affaius of the Second Judicial District— The Pioneer Bar— Early Inconveniences and
Experiences— Lawyers of Fifty Years ago— Original Territory of the Second Dis-
trict— Litigation— Hon. Samuel C. Roane— Other Prominent Practitioners-
John Selden Ro.\ne— James Y''ell— Martin W. Dorris— Judge Euclid
Johnson— Judge Isaac W. Baker— Hon. William H. Sutton—
Hon. Chester Ashley — Frederick W. Trafnell—
Robert W. Joiin.son— Gen. Albert Pike-
Retrospective.
— 'tSwo^- —
He was not borne to sbame;
Upon his brow shame is ashamed to sit;
For 'tis a throne where honour may be crowned
Sole monarch. — Skakspenre.
MONGr the contributions
devoted to literature in Ar-
kansas, and the preserva-
tion of the memory of ilhis-
trious men, none are more
be possessed of manly vigor, heroic endurance,
full of public spirit; possessing as many virtttes,
too, as is usually represented by honorable, brave,
chivalrio manhood; and yet, with all this, do they
represent the active, impulsive and combative side
'~^ worthy of mention than of human nature so absolutely necessary to the
'^ 1^ those of Judge J. W. Bo- pioneer judge or lawyer, at the same time schooled
cage, who, in articles entitled "Old
Memories," has resurrected incidents
and facts connected with pioneer legal
affairs that cannot but prove of inter-
est. They are, therefore, accorded a
prominent place in the present volume.
When the history of the old time
bench and bar of the Second judicial
district of the State of Arkansas is written, those
pioneers of the judicial bar are meant who broke
the brush and laid the foundation of the work
which is beheld to-day — which, from the liegin-
ning, stood on as high a plane as any in all the
land, and of which all thinking citizens are proud.
The men of the new as well as of the old may
to exercise a passive, reflective and quiescent
thought and demeanor at the proper moment '' It
is a diflieult task to pictiu'e the pioneer lawyer,
whose requirements were necessarily a contradic-
tion, and from whose life may be taken le.ssons of
self-control, povter of will, bravery and generosity
well worth the learning.
He who supposes a lawyer's life journey, fifty
years ago in Arkansas, was a smooth path of gen-
tle declivity, set with roses, leading to a beautiful
temple of justice, elaborately arranged with all the
comforts and belongings of to-day, will read with
surprise the great tasks necessarily performed
semi-annually by their predecessors of 1836 and
184'2, and will entertain a reverence and respect
114
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
for those noble spirits wbo planted the standard of
justice in the wilderness, and thus made lighter
the work of the bar of the present.
Fifty years ago steamboats plying the Arkansas
River were few; trips were irregular, and could
not be relied on to carry judge and lawyer with
any degree of certainty as to departure or arrival.
There were only four short lines of railroad in the
United States — not one mile in Arkansas. Morse
had not begiin to urge the importance of his tele-
graph. There were very few wagon roads in the
district besides those parallel with the Arkansas
River, branching fi'om the military roads (which
were established by the "United States government
for military purposes). The Indian trail or neigh-
borhood path, in which but one horse could go
abreast, was the only line of communication from
one settlement to another. To reach a point on a
right line, distant only twenty miles, often required
the travel of thirty. There were no bridges, and
few ferries were established, often with only a
canoe, for crossing a stream, by the side of which
the lawyer's horse swam. If there was a flat boat
it was usually a small affair, carrying one horse
and rider, with his saddle-bags, which contained
his clothing, library and papers. The territory
comprising this district was a wilderness, showing
to perfection nature's grand handiwork, replete
with towering forest trees of every wood valuable
in commerce, underbrush, tangled vines, intermin-
able swamps and dense cane-brakes, rivaling the
famed jungles of India, with only a bridle-path to
mark the line of travel to some settlement hewed
out of the wilderness.
The meet for the trip around the circuit was
usually at Pine Bluff, the most central point, and
was looked forward to with much interest; for the
ordeal through which he must pass, his jsrepara-
tion and equipment must be of that character
enabling him to surmount any difficulty; his horse
must be a good swimmer as well as traveler, and
was selected with great care; it must be strong
and intelligent — able to swim high and be well
gaited for the road under the saddle. At the spring
term the waters of the Ouachita, Bartholomew,
Saline, Moros, the Lagles and numberless creeks
and bayous were usually very high, scarcely even
a canoe coiild be had, and streams were crossed
with the rider in his saddle, saddle bags across
his shoulders, his steed his boat and propelling
power. Traveling far into the night to get to his
destination, he was compelled, if this was not
reached, to select a spot as near water as possible,
unsaddle and camp, supperless, unless some one
more provident than the others secured a lunch at
the last resting place. The inevitable blanket,
the pioneer lawyer's boon companion, was spread
for a bed, and with his saddle for a pillow and the
song of a mosquito for a lullaby, sleep came to the
weary traveler, and dreams of coming victory.
That part of the Louisiana purchase, which
subsequently became the Second judicial district,
in 1836 was inhabited by the descendants of Span-
ish, French and English settlers with migratory
Indians, and an amalgamation of all, a very un-
usual mixture of blood combining many peculiar
traits of character. Their written language was
pure French and English, but their spoken lan-
guage was an almost incomprehensible idiom im-
perfectly understood by either Spanish, French or
English immigrants, rendering it necessary that
the settler possess himself of the idiomatic mode
of expression in vogue. The lawyer to fully com-
prehend his client or the witness learned enough
of this peculiar language to be sure of a correct
understanding of his case.
The territory embraced in the old-time district
covered many square miles, including what is now
Jefferson, Arkansas, Desha, Lincoln, Chicot, Drew,
Bradley, Ashley, Calhoun, Cleveland, Grant, Oua-
chita, Columbus and Union Counties, extending
from White River to the Louisiana line north and
south, and from Pulaski County to the Mississippi
River east and west. Fifty years ago this entire
territory comprised but four counties: Jefferson,
Arkansas, Chicot and Union. Coiu-t was held
semi-annually then, as now, at Pine Bluff, Arkan-
sas Post, Columbia and Scarborough's Landing.
There being no county court houses, court was
held in log cabin store houses cleared of goods for
the purpose. Pine Bluff, the seat of justice of
Jefferson County, was recognized under the Terri-
HISTOEY OF ARKANSAS.
115
torial government as a county seat, a mere speck
in the wilderness, which grew in time to a village,
happily situated on the bank of the Arkansas River,
in the center of the county — commanding the fur
and peltry trade of the surrounding country. In
time its importance as a mercantile center for this
trade became apparent. Pack-ponies from the
mouth of the White and Arkansas Rivers, and pi-
rogues and keel-boats pushed with poles and cor-
dell lines from New Orleans, brought merchandise
to be bartered for the product of trap and hunting.
Settlements were made on the lands — fields were
cleared and crops of cotton and corn grown. Trade
increased and the fact clearly established that
Pine Bluff was the center of trade and traffic for
the entire country between Little Rock and the
mouth of the Arkansas River. Population in-
creased, and in 1836 it was deemed necessary to
lay the site off into town lots, since which it has
gradually extended its teri'itory, increasing in im-
portance as a trade center, and now, a city of the
first-class, it grasps the entire trade within its
reach and sits the queen of trade and traffic for
twenty counties, without fear of a rival.
The consequent litigation growing out of trade
and traffic at great trade centers necessarily pro-
duces a bar of lawyers, whose capability is meas-
ured by the importance of the litigation to care for.
The demand at Pine Blutt' was for the highest
legal talent. On his plantation near Pine Bluff
resided the Hon. Samuel Calhoun Roane, the cor-
ner stone of the Pine Bluff judicial bar, and the
Nestor of the bar of the State. He was born in
Wilson County, Tenn., in December, 1792, and
came to the Territory of Arkansas in 1819, and set-
tling at the Post of Arkansas, there assisted by
Mr. William E. Woodruff, published the first
numbers of the Gazette. He removed to the vil-
lage of Little Rock in 1820 and began the practice
of law, laying the foundation of that prominence
he subsequently attained among his associates as a
land lawyer. In 1825 he married Miss Julia Em-
bree, of Jefferson County. Joining the occupation
of farmer to that of lawyer, he began opening up
his Cottonwood plantation near Pine Bluff, where
he spent the remainder of his life. In his early
life he was a near neighbor of Gen. Andrew Jack-
son, of whom he was a great admirer. A warm
personal friendship was always maintained be-
tween them. In his twenty-first year he fought
under Gen. Jackson in the Alabama Creek War of
1813. • Among President Jackson's many friends
and admirers, and during the first term of his
Presidency, he singled out young Roane for ap-
pointment to the United States district attorney's
place for the Territory of Arkansas, which position
he filled with credit — stamping him in point of
legal ability far above mediocrity of lawyers. On
admission of the State of Arkansas in 1836, he was
elected a member of the State Senate, and at its
organization was elected to preside over that body.
By virtue of his office as president of the Sen-
ate, in the absence of Gov. Conway from the State,
he became acting Governor, and signed many of
the memorable real estate bank bonds which fell into
the hands of the Holfords, of London, England, who
in 1850 visited Arkansas and demanded of Gov.
Samuel C. Roane personal payment, assuming
that his signature, although made as Governor of
the State, made him personally responsible. Judge
Roane amassed a large fortune, and was, at his
death, the wealthiest man in Jefi^erson County.
He was the oracle to his neighbers of all questions
pertaining to lands, was just and generous, and
many acts of charity stand to his credit. He
was not an eloquent speaker, but his fine sense
and superior knowledge of the law placed him in
the front rank as a pleader, and he claimed his
place as a member of the bar of the Second judi-
cial district to the day of his death, which occurred
December 10, 1852.
John Selden Roane was born in Wilson County,
Tenn., January 8, 1817; was educated at Princeton
College, Kentucky, and immigrated to Arkansas in
1838; read law in the office of his brother, Hon.
Samuel C. Roane; was licensed to practice and
enrolled a member of the Pine Bluff bar in 1841.
Few young men have climbed so rapidly the pin-
nacle of fame. Brought in contact with such legal
talent as that of the elder Roane, Pike, Trapnell,
Fowlei', Hempstead and others, he necessarily
applied himself to win a high place among this
116
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
galaxy of bright intellect. Noble, brave and
generous to a fault, he won the esteem of his fel-
low citizens of all parties, and although a Demo-
crat, was selected by a Whig constituency to the
legislature of 1842, serving his county to the sat-
isfaction of all parties. Deeming it to his advan-
tage to change location, he moved to Van Buren,
Crawford County, in 1844. He again secured the
respect and conlidence of his new constituency and
was returned by them to the House of Representa-
tives in 1846, being elected speaker of the house,
and presided over that body with dignity and
honor, giving satisfaction to all parties. His most
intimate friend, speaking of him, states that he
well remembers his appearance just after the final
vote was announced for speaker, his splendid
physique and handsome features expressing the
sense of his exaltation; elegantly dressed, wearing
the graceful toga cloak of that day, he strode up
the aisle to the speaker's seat, a picture of manly
beauty rarely ever witnessed. A bystander re-
marked : "I can now picture the great Triumvir,
Mark Antony, as he mounted the Rojnan rostrum."
At the adjournment of the legislature he re-
turned to Crawford County, resuming the practice
of law. On the declaration of war with Mexico
and the call for volunteers, he mustered a company
of cavalry and with his characteristic energy,
when fully aroused to action, he marched on an
air line over hill and valley, across streams and
swamps, hewing his way through the timber to
the rendezvous at Washington, Hempstead County,
the first company arriving on the ground. On the
organization of the regiment he was elected lieu-
tenant-colonel. Gov. -Col. Archibald Yell, being
killed in the battle of Buena Vista, by virtue of
seniority Lieut. -Col. Roane became colonel of the
command. The war over, he returned to his old
home at Pine BlufP and settled down as a planter,
resuming the practice of law. In 1849 he was
elected Governor of the State to fill the iinexpired
term of Gov. Drew. His administration was a
credit to the State, his messages to the General As
sembly being well written, and showing a thorough
knowledge" of the wants of the State and the best
means of supplying them. In 1850 he married Miss
Mary Kimbrough Smith, daughtei- of Gen. Nat.
Smith, of Dallas County. On the inauguration of
war between the States he espoused the cause of his
section, receiving a brigadier-general's commission
and took the field. Subsequently he came back
home, involved in debt, and worn down with the
struggle, to recover his lost fortune. He died at
his home April 7, 1867.
Gov. John S. Roane was an impressive and
logical speaker at the bar, a good stump orator,
the soul of honor, a brave, chivalrous gentleman,
with a heart full of charity and a truer friend no
one could boast.
James Yell was one of the most remarkable
men at the bar of the old Second district. He was
styled the Apollo of the bar because of his com-
manding form and handsome face. He was born
in Bedford County, Tenn.. March 10, 1811. His
early opportunity for school culture was not of the
best, yet, by native pluck and industry, he acquired
a fair education, which he imjiroved greatly after
attaining his majority. He taught school for three
years at Shelby ville, Tenn., and served Bedford
County one term as sheriff; later reading law
under Malcolm Gilchrist, one of the most promi-
nent jurists of Tennessee. Induced by his uncle.
Col. Archibald Yell, he moved to Arkansas in
March, 1838, settling in Pine BlufP. where he began
his remarkable career at the bar. He struggled
hard to rise to the top, which he reached by dint
of hard work. Exceedingly combative, he entered
into his client's case as if it was his own, and
fought it inch by inch to the end. His aggres-
sive and unyielding spirit made him in a great
measure the butt of his fellow practitioner. The
gauntlet thrown to him never reached the ground.
This condition of spirit more than all things else
brought about his success at the bar.
Y'ell, though not a superior pleader, was a forci-
ble speaker, and as a jury lawyer had few equals.
The records show that in almost every criminal case
he had the defense, in seven out of ten of which
he was successful. He was colonel, brigadier and
major-general of the militia. As a militiaman he
was on the Gen. Gideon Pillow style. With John
S. Roane and John Martin he was placed on the
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
117
Democratic electoral ticket in 1848 and made a
thoroitgli canvass of the State. He served one term
in the State Senate.
Gen. Yell was afterward placed in many trying
situations, always exhibiting great coolness and
courage. He was noted for his kindness of heart
and was too liberal for his own good; his many
private charities, which were unknown to the world,
stand largely to his credit. He died at his resi-
dence in Pine Blnff of pneumonia, September T),
1867.
Prominent at the Pine Bluff bar stood Martin
W. Dorris, who was styled by his associates the
Beau Brummel of the bar. He emigrated from
Missouri to Arkansas in 1836, and settled in Pine
Bluft', a well read lawyer. He did not practice his
profession at lirst, but embarked with Mr. John W.
Moulding in mercantile pursuits, establishing quite
an extensive trade. .
Tiring of that l)usiness he sold oiit to his part-
ner and opened a law office in 1837, and soon secured
a lucrative practice. A good conversationalist, a
forcible speaker on points of the law, he was more
of a special ])leader than a jury lawyer, his argu-
ments being always well prepared.
Dorris was tall, spare built, of light complex-
ion, light eyes and hair, with a graceful carriage,
agreeable manners, always neatly and tastefully
dressed, and a convivial companion. He had many
friends throughout the district. He was non-com
bative and maintained his high position at the bar
and with his people by his good sense and pru-
dence. He was twice elected to represent his
county in the General Assembly. His life's work
was good, and the community in which he abided
is the better that he lived. He died of cholera at
Little Rock in 1852.
Arkansas Post, the county seat of Arkansas
County, was established as a Spanish military post
in lt>64, the year the first settlement was made at
Philadelphia. It was situated on the very verge of
western civilization, and looking over towards the
setting sun into the grand wilderness, planted by
nature with forests, treeless plains, rivers cut deep
down into the rocky beds and mountains, which
are now taught to l;>ow their crests to the genius of
the white man. Could the unwritten history of
the old post be brought to light, the historian and
romancer might weave a tale so grand, so full of
thrilling adventure, so storied with love and hate,
of joy and sorrow, of hair-breadth escapes and
heroic deeds, worthy of the days of chivalry, as
would rival the tales of the pilgrim fathers, or the
Huguenots and Cavaliers of the eastern shore.
The site of the old post still exists, but the town
is gone, swallowed up in that hail of death rained
upon it by McLernand's grand army of 50,000
men, nine gun boats and rams under Admiral
Porter, carrying eight and ten heavy naval pieces
each, and manned by a thousand men with the
finest equipment for naval warfare that the world
could boast. To this immense armament were op-
posed 3,000 men, under Brig. -Gen. T. J. Church-
hill, whose orders were from Lieut. -Gen. T. H.
Holmes, to "hold out until help arrives, or until
all are dead." Left without discretion, but to do
or die, he fought the most remarkable battle of
the Civil War.
There were three famed hostelries on the Arkan-
sas River in the olden time: Nick Peay's at Little
Rock, James L. Buck's at Pine Bluff, and Mary
John's, a slave of Col. James Scull, at the Post of
Arkansas. These hostelries were the visiting law-
yer's homes when on the circviit, and right royally
were they entertained at each. The oft repeated
pleasure is well remembered of a dismount at Mary
John's tavern, and greeting with one's fellow at-
torneys after a hard day's travel. Here was the
home of James H. Lucas, afterward the St. Louis
millionaire, who married Miss Deresseaux, a na-
tive of French descent. Judge Lucas was an en-
rolled member of the bar as early as 1833, and
was judge of the probate court in 1834. His
good fortune, no doubt, spoiled a good lawyer.
He was well read, and possessed a superior intel-
lect. The Hon. Terrence Farrelly, an Irish gen
tleman, who lived on his jilantation near the old
post, came to the bar in 1812. He was a local
lawyer, rarely attending other courts. He died
soon after the close of the Civil War.
Columbia, the old county seat of Chicot County,
was situated on the bank of the Mississippi River,
118
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
and was one of the earliest settled towns in Arkan-
sas, an outgrowth of the old French settlement at
Point Chicot. Many dark deeds were perpetrated
in this old village, and not many that the record-
ing angel would place to the credit side of the
page. Yet, here lived some good people, whose
better traits of character shone brighter from prox-
imity and contrast with the evil-doers. Here re-
sided some of the brightest intellects of the bar of
the old Second district: Judges Roysden, Johnson,
Baker and Sutton. Old River Lake near it is
noted as the rendezvous of the great land pirate,
John A. Murrill and his clan. The sight which
greeted the eyes of one landing at Columbia, in
1836, was a dead man lying not far from the land-
ing, superbly dressed, wearing fine jewelry, watch
and chain, stabbed to death during the night. He
was Gilliam Murrill, brother to John A. Murrill,
murdered by Franklin Stuart, a near relative of
Virgil Stuart, who gave the Murrill clan away.
Years after, the same individual, then attorney for
the State, assisted by Judge Edward A. Meany
(who afterwards attained great celebrity at the St.
Louis bar), prosecuted Stuart for that murder.
Columbia seems to have atoned for her misdeeds
by passing into oblivion, the great river having
swallowed it from the sight of man forever. Thomas
N. Byres, Hedgeman Triplett, Isaac N. Barnett,
and Philander Littell (who, as State's attorney,
wrote about fifty indictments for gaming, among
which was one against Judge De Lafayette Roys-
den, who quashed the indictment against himself,
and fined the State's attorney), were members of
the bar, and lived at Columbia.
Judge Roysden practiced in the Red River dis-
trict of Louisiana as early as 1845; lived in Little
Rock a short time and was elected judge of the
Second district, serving one term. He died many
years ago.
Judge Euclid Johnson was born in Kentucky;
practiced law in Little Rock in 1836; was a brother
of Vice-President Richard M. Johnson and Judge
Ben Johnson, of Little Rock, He came to Arkan-
sas in 1835, and the same year moved to Chicot
County on his plantation near Columbia, and was
elected circuit judge of the Second district, hold-
ing that office two terms. He was a fine and
accomplished gentleman, well read and a good
judge of law, with fine, equitable judgment.
When off the bench he was a jolly good fellow, a
bewitchingly social spirit, who loved an anecdote
and joke, and could relate them well. When on the
bench he was very dignified, and his decisions gave
general satisfaction. He was fond of his friends
and they enjoyed his companionship.
Judge Isaac W. Baker was a native of North
Carolina, born in the year 1805, and was a grad-
uate from Chappel Hill, N. C. Marrying at twen-
ty-five, he fell under the displeasure of an ec-
centric and very wealthy father, who withdrew
his yearly supply of money. He at once opened a
school in the old academy on the hill, so well
known to all Wilmingtonians of the early day.
Losing his young wife after the close of the second
term, without saying a farewell .to any one, he went
to Cincinnati and there began the study of medi-
cine. Losing his health and believing that he
would not live long, he went to Texas in the midst
of her strviggle for independence, resolved to fling
his life away against the Mexicans. Camp life
and pure air restored his health. After the war
was over he resolved to pursue the study of law,
and entered a law office at New Orleans. From
that place he moved to Columbia, Ark., where he
practiced law until his election to the judgeship in
1854
Judge Baker was an eccentric character, as were
all the other members of his father's family. He
was morose, ill-tempered and melancholy at times,
so much so as to be quite disagreeable when in this
mood. In forensic debate he often permitted him-
self to lose his temper, but when upon the bench
he was regarded as just and equitable in his decis-
ions, and with ■ all his peculiarities was probably
one of the best judges of the early days. He was
an intense student, and points of doubt he would
study closely and analyze carefully before render-
ing his decision. At the termination of his second
term of office he moved to a farm near Batesville,
Ark., and led almost a hermit's life. One day
while sitting in his hall, his only sister, Mrs. How-
ard, whom he believed to be in North Carolina, dis-
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
119
mounted at his gate. He immediately went out of
the back door, rehising to meet her, and left for
Chicot County, where he purchased a plantation,
upon which he killed his overseer, and died while
in prison awaiting his trial, ending a life along the
pathway of which were very few bright spots.
The Hon. William H. Sutton was born in Penn-
sylvania, read law and began to practice in that
State. Believing a more fertile field could be found
in the southwest, and seeing the new State of
Arkansas taken into the sisterhood of States in
1836, he bent his steps in that direction, landing
in Columbia, in Chicot County, the same year. With
pleasant emotion the writer's memory goes back
over fifty years. When at Columbia he saw a tall,
handsome, graceful young man, with features in-
dicating intellect, and an impressive manly air, step
from the deck of a Mississippi River steamer, evi-
dently seeming to come with no longing looks back
to the home of his youth, but with a resolve to cast
his lot with those who had sought homes in Ark-
ansas.
William H. Sutton possessed in a high degree
those qualities that make up the gentleman. Brave,
candid, truthful, with a gentle heart, his moral,
political and religious convictions were strong and
decided. He was a ripe scholar, a fluent and log-
ical speaker, and was acknowledged to be one of
the brightest ornaments of the bar of the State.
He was called to succeed the Hon. Isaac N. Baker
in the judgeship of the Second judicial district,
holding that office two terms. His useful career
was ended at his home in Pittsburgh, Penn., in De-
cember, 1878, regretted by all who knew him.
Philander Littell was the first prosecuting
attorney for the Second district after the State
organization, and lived at Columbia, and, although
not particularly distinguished, was considered a
good lawyer.
Hedgeman Triplett was a native of Virginia,'
and moved in Territorial times to Arkansas. Set-
tling in Columbia in 1835, he was prominent at
the bar of the Second district. He possessed great
force of character, and was a large, powerful man
with strongly marked features. He had one leg
shorter than the other, and when presenting his
case stood back on his short leg. As he warmed
up to his argument he would lift himself to his full
height on his long leg, which seemed to throw his
body toward the jury, often producing a telling
effect. He was a brave, honorable gentleman and
died many years ago.
Judge Edward A. Meany was of Irish descent.
He was well versed in all branches of jurisdiction
and a learned lawyer. He came to the bar of the
Second district in 1837, settling at Columbia, and
at once occupied a prominent position. He at-
tracted large audiences whenever he spoke in a
criminal case. His speech delivered in prosecut-
ing Franklin A. Stuart for the murder of Gilliam
Murrill, years after the deed was committed, when
the witnesses were all dead or beyond reach of a
writ, was a masterpiece of oratory, rivalling the
happiest efforts of John Philpot Curran. Deem-
ing the field in Arkansas too limited for his work,
he moved to St. Louis, there becoming one of the
great lights of the St. Louis bar. He died shortly
after the close of the war.
Scarborough's Landing, now Champagnolle, is
located on the Ouachita River, sixteen miles above
the mouth of the Moro. Fifty years ago this
point, a small trading settlement in the wilderness,
with a few log cabins, was the county seat of Union
County. In time it assumed greater prominence
as a trading center for a large extent of territory.
Before the advent of railroads more than 10,000
bales of cotton found a market at New Orleans by
water from that landing, and the returned mer-
chandise was distributed from its warehouses over
a large extent of territory. As the county
seat of Union County, court was held there semi-
annually as at three other points named herein,
provided the judge and lawyers arrived in time to
open the session as provided by the statute. With-
out question, in the older time it was the most in-
accessible point in Arkansas. He was a good
horse and rider who could reach Scarborough's
Landing from the settlements in one day's ride.
There were no resident lawyers, but lawyers from
the Arkansas and Mississippi Rivers met the law-
yers from Camden and Washington, and here was
a greeting that only men who met in the wilderness
120
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
or desert could give each other. ' ' They were jolly
companions every one," soul answered soul and
the hearty laugh from willing throats noticeably
increased as the jest and anecdote was sprung
during the midnight hour. There was no accom-
modation for all and there was little sleeping. A
few of the most sedate retired to such accommo-
dations as were afforded, to tight mosquitoes and
sleep if possible. The judicial docket of the day
being always light, it was soon disposed of, and
each one wended his way homeward.
Of the lawyers resident at Little Rock, attend-
ing the courts of the Second judicial district, only
the most prominent need be mentioned as men who
would have been considered distinguished lawyers
at any bar in the United States.
The Hon. Chester Ashley was born at West-
field, Conn., June 1, 1789. When an infant his
parents moved to Hudson City, N. Y. He was
graduated from Williams College, Hiadson. in 1813,
and read law in the office of Elisha Williams, Esq. ,
a prominent lawyer of that city. His course in
the law school at Litchfield, Conn., developed a
mind well stored with legal learning, and ability to
exercise successfully his acquirements. In 1818
he moved to Illinois, moving again to Missouri in
1819, and again in 1820 to Little Rock, Ark. In
1821 he married Miss Mary W. W. Elliott, and,
returning to Little Rock, settled down for life.
Chester Ashley was an extraordinary man. His
personal aj)pearance attracted all beholders at first
sight, leaving an impression rarely if ever forgot-
ten. To a dignified, commanding personage, na-
ture added a remarkable face, every feature of
which was perfect of itself, blended as a whole.
Few men exhibited a face of more marked charac-
teristics, to which was added a brain stored full of
classic and legal study. With a rich, mellow voice
and the highest order of intellect, he made his
conversation fascinating. Although command-
ingly dignified he always had a spice of humor.
His elegant manners stamped him in every sense
a gentleman; always cheerful, ever kind and affec-
tionate to those who claimed his love, with full
control of self, he could well be styled a noble
man. In 1833 he was the leading lawyer in Little
Rock, and practiced in all the courts of the Terri-
tory. From 1837 to 1842 he attended the courts
of the Second judicial circuit. In April, 1844, his
talent was called into service to advocate the Demo-
cratic electoral ticket of Arkansas. With activity
rarely seen he traversed the State, iirging the peo-
ple to espouse his political faith, which was pre-
sented so forcibly and truly that, when Senator
Fulton died in the month of August, the General
Assembly convening in November almost unani-
mously elected Chester Ashley to till the vacancy,
and in 1846 he was re-elected to that exalted posi-
tion. He was chosen Chairman of the Committee
on Jitdiciary, a high tribute to his legal learning.
On the 23d day of April he was in his place in the
Senate chamber, and on the 29th he breathed his
last at Washington City, lamented by all who
knew him.
One of Arkansas greatest favorites at the bar,
and particularly at the bar of the Second district,
was Frederic W. Trapnell, who was born near
Harrodsburg, Ky. , in 1808. Mr. Trapnell read
law after a thorough course of study at the best
schools his State aft'orded, and practiced his pro-
fession at Springfield, Kj'. He came to Arkansas
in 1836, settling in Little Rock, where, by close
attention, energy and great industry, he became
one of the most prominent members of the bar of
the State. In all departments of jurisprudence he
stood at the top, and contributed fully as much by
his learning and indefatigable effort as any other
lawyer of 1836 and 1842. Arkansas lost one of
its best citizens, and the bar one of its brightest
ornaments when he crossed to the silent shore. His
death occurred in 1856 after a three days' illness —
a great surprise to his friends.
The name of Samuel Hutchinson Hempstead,
during the days of 1836 and 1842, was interwoven
with every interest connected with the bar of Ark-
"ansas, and stands out prominent on the records of
the courts of the Second judicial district. Refer-
ence is made to him in other pages of this volume.
It is plain that Mr. Hempstead was considered no
ordinary man. He was a ripe scholar, learned in
his profession, an eloquent speaker, with an origin-
ality which attracted attention, accompanying
which he had quick porce])tiou and line judgment.
With praiseworthy effort he succeeded in rising to
the top with those other great legal lights, and
when the Arkansas bar was pronounced second to
none in the Union. After a faithful and honest
discharge of all his duties he died at Little Rock
on June 25, 18(52.
The Hon. Absalom Fowler was truly a brilliant
luminary of the State bar. Coming from Ten-
nessee as early as 1830, he settled in Little Rock,
having previously prepared himself to take a high
position as a lawyer. Like a meteor he illumi-
nated the territory with his learning and eloquence
from Washington to Hempstead Counties, from
Crawford to Chicot, leaving in his wake a record
of legal learning, sound judgment and honest
opinion, which formed a splendid heritage to those
who followed after him. In 1833 Mr. Fowler was
the law partner of Col. Robert Crittenden, who
died in 1834, leaving him the inheritor of a large
legal business, which he conducted successfully.
His death occurred in 1860.
Mr. Sam Cook, when advanced in years, came
to Arkansas and settled in Saline County as early
as 1 836. He attended all the courts of the Second
judicial district and was highly respected by the
bar. • He was a well read lawyer and a brilliant
speaker. There was no more pleasant companion
on or off the road than Mr. Cook. Nature gave
him a quizzical face, although a pleasing one.
Even during his gravest ujoods one was inclined
to smile at him. He joked in the morning, at
noon and at night. If the party bivouacked for
the night, which was sometimes necessary, and
the conversation lagged. Cook at once drove dull
care away by one of his inimitable jokes. He
was the acknowledged defender at the bar of all
lareenj- and other minor cases. Whenever his
cases were called the court room was at once tilled
by willing listeners, as everyone knew that some
thing funny would be said in behalf of his client or
about the other man. The best lawyers rarely got
the better of him in a hog stealing case. He had
the ear of the jury. Mr. Cook moved to Benton
and died at an advanced age.
Robert Ward Johnson, than whom no man has
contributed more to elevate the State of Arkansas
morally, judicially and politically, was born in
Scott County, Ky., on July 22, 1814, being the
oldest son of Judge Benjamin Johnson, who
received the appointment of Judge of the Ter-
ritory of Arkansas by President Monioe, after-
ward from John Quincy Adams, and twice from
Andrew Jackson.
Robert W. Johnson began life under the most
favorable auspices. Springing from an illustrious
family, prominent in the social circle, in the coun-
cils of the nation and on the held of liattle, he had
every incentive to be honorable, brave and a gen-
tleman. From childhood to the day of his death
he maintained a character for the highest sense of
honor, untlinching bravery and gentlemanly bear-
ing, rarely equaled, never surpassed. When quite
a youth he was sent to the Indian Academy near
Frankfort, Ky., where he jiursued his studies until
his fifteenth year, when he entered St. Joseph's
College, at Bardstown, Ky., from which institution
he graduated with honor after four years' study.
From there he went to New Haven, Conn. , where he
attended the law school, graduating at the age of
twenty-one and receiving the degree of bachelor of
law. Returning to Little Rock he entered into the
practice of law, forming a partnership with the dis-
tinguished Samuel H. Hempstead. On March 10.
183U, he married Miss Sarah F. Smith, of Louis
ville, Ky. His partnership with Mr. Hem[)stead
closed in 1 847. In December, 1840, he received from
Gov. Archibald Yell, the appointment of State's
attorney for the circuit embracing Little Rock,
holding the office one term, doing his whole duty
with a characteristic ability and zeal. During his
legal course "he was a regular attendant at the bar
of the Second district, sharing with his illustrious
companions all the pleasures, trials and vicissitudes
then encountered. Mr. Johnson began to lay the
foundation of his political life as early as 1840.
The 3'ear 1844 saw him a candidate in the Held to
represent Pulaski County in the lower house. In
1 846 he was elected to a seat in the United States
House of Representatives for Arkansas; was re-
elected in 1848 and again in 1850. In 1855 he
was appointed by Gov. Conway to fill the nn
122
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
expired term ia the United States Senate of Dr.
Solon Borland, who resigned in 1854. He was
returned by the legislature to the United States
Senate for the full term of six years. Declining a
re-election in 1860, he returned to his plantation
crowned with well-earned laurels. Seeing through
the dark clouds which lowered over the entire
country, on the election of Mr. Lincoln to the
presidency, that a desperate struggle was imminent,
he decided at once his path of duty. While de-
votedly attached to the Union he felt there was no
hope; secession and its consequences were plainly
in his view; honor and patriotism prompted his
course. He canvassed his State advocating seces-
sion, which ordinance was passed by the conven-
tion with only one dissenting voice. Col. Johnson
was elected a member of the Confederate States
Senate, which position he held during its existence,
working for the cause he espoused with an earnest-
ness and honesty of purpose characteristic of the
man. On the downfall of the Confederacy he de-
cided to find an asylum in a foreign land. £Jn
route for the gulf coast of Texas, he stopped two
days near Palestine, in Anderson County, Texas, j
Reaching Galveston, finding the noble-hearted
Gen. Gordon Granger in command of the Federal
troops, and remembering his kindness extended to
Gen. Granger and many others of the United
States Army when in the United States Senate, he
at once met him and was not mistaken. Gen.
Granger proved a friend. He soon went to Wash-
ington city and had an interview with President
Johnson, who gave him assurances of protection.
His political disabilities were not removed until
1877. He returned to his plantation in Arkansas
and worked hard to renew his lost fortune. Fail-
ing in this, he again entered into the legal arena
at Pine Bluff. Soon seeing with the able compe-
tition there he mxist build from the ground, he
moved to Washington City, entering into partner-
ship with Gen. Albert Pike, where he again served
his State in the memorable conflict between the
Brooks and Baxter factions. In 1878 Col. Johnson
again located in Little Rock, opening a law oiHce.
In 1879 he was before the legislature for the United
States Senate. Defeated by Judge J. D. Walker,
he resolved never to enter politics. Early in June,
1879, he was taken with an illness which termi-
nated the long and useful life of a man whose de-
votion to the best interests of his State has never
been surpassed — if ever equaled. He died on July
26, 1879.
Elsewhere in this volume reference is made to
the literary genius of Gen. Albert Pike, but of all
the array of intellect which won for the bar of
Arkansas, from 1836 to 1842, its justly deserved
fame, no one contributed more to its exaltation
than did he. His was work of genuine unselfish-
ness. He did not seek to clothe himself with the
judicial ermine, yet no man in all the land was
more deserving of the high trust; nor did he go
before his fellow citizens of Arkansas asking for
political preferment, yet no one woidd have more
faithfully represented his constituency or worked
harder in the councils of state for the aggrandize-
ment of Arkansas. In this great country of
wonderful achievements in art, science and learn-
ing, he is a colossus who is considered the most
learned man. Albert Pike stands in the rank of
those who have reached that high position, if he is
not the most learned man in the country. Nor is
his great learning his only commendable feature;
he is brave and chivalrous, as was Godfi-ey to
Bouillon. True to his friend as the needle to the
pole, no spirit of revenge has lodgment in his
large heart. He is forgiving to all enemies. Gen.
Pike wandered from Boston to New Mexico, thence
he came to Arkansas, reaching Fort Smith on
December 10, 1832, coming to Little Rock
early in October, 1833, where he settled, be-
ginning that remarkable career at the bar which
stamps him one of the most profound lawyers of
the age. When at the Pine BlufP court of the Sec-
ond judicial district in 1838, although only twenty-
nine years of age, he was recognized as one of
Arkansas' leading lawyers. The old court records,
from 1836 to 1842, and later in all parts of the
State, are evidence of the great volume of his
work, and of its faithful and correct execution.
On the declaration of war with Mexico, he mus-
tered into the volunteer service of the United
States a company of cavalry, marched into Mexico
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
123
and served during the war. Returning at its close
to his old home, he resumed the practice of law.
He was again called to the field on the inaugura-
tion of the Civil War, accepting a brigadier-gen-
eral's commission, and serving in the Indian
country to the end. Gen. Pike married early in
life Miss Mary Hamilton, of Arkansas County. At
the close of the Civil War he moved to AVashing-
ton, D. C, resuming there the practice of his pro-
fession. In the second effort of Arkansas to
secure her rights during the Brooks-Baxter em-
broglio, Gen. Pike's great legal ability was called
into requisition on the side of the Baxter faction,
and mainly through his exertion Arkansas was
again freed from tyrannical rule. Gen. Pike now
has his home in the city of Washington, and
is still a hard worker. He remembers his old
Arkansas friends with tender affection, and his life
in Arkansas with almost unalloyed pleasure.
William Cummins was born in Jefferson County,
Ky., in 1800, and came to Little Rock, Ark., as
early as J 833. He began the practice of his pro-
fession soon after. He was a member of the con-
vention of 1836, when Arkansas was admitted into
the Union, and was twice a representative of his
county in the General Assembly, and at one time
was a law partner of General Pike. He died on
April 7, 1843. Mr. Cummins was a regular at-
tendant at the bar of the old Second district; was a
well read lawyer; an agreeable and forcible speaker;
a representative gentleman, and one of the most
agreeable of companions. Others who made occa-
sional visits at the Pine Bluff court in 1836 to 1842,
and who were distinguished lawyers at the bar of
Arkansas were John W. Corke, brotherin-law of
F. W. Trapnell, a native of Kentucky; Thomas B.
Hanly and William K. Sebastian, of Phillips Coun-
ty; Samuel Davis Blackburn, George C. Watkins,
George A. Gallagher and David J. Baldwin, of
Pulaski.
In a short memorial of the bench and bar of the
old Second judicial district, it cannot but be re-
gretted that for want of accurate data it is impos-
sible to compile all that is desired to be expressed,
many having paid the debt of nature without leav-
ing kith or kin behind, to tell of their ever having
lived. Briefly has mention been made of those
who have figured at the bar of the old Second dis-
trict, without bitterness of party conflicts and per-
sonal encounter, in vindication of what each in his
lofty spirit of individual opinion of right and
wrong may have deemed necessary to sustain his
honor. They were a noble, proud race of men,
each possessing strong peculiarities. In their day
they were loved and honored ; each had his friends
and followers ready to assume all consequences
on their side if need be. As members of the bar
the fraternal feeling was strong, and whatever of
bitterness or rancor they manifested in the advo-
cacy of their client's cause, it was lost sight of
outside of the court room.
Those here named were men of mark, eminent
in civil service, distinguished in legal learning,
cultivated gentlemen of loftiest chivalry. No mean
act, ungenerous advantage or vulgar association
stained their escutcheon. Their life's blood was
always ready to be staked for their honor. None
will say but the gentlemen who were the ancestry
of the bar of the old Second judicial district were
not worthy of imitation. The young men of the
bar of the Eleventh district would rejoice, could
they commit themselves to such a school made up
as it was of Puritans and Cavaliers. They con-
centrated the best elements of this proud and hon-
orable ancestry. Their life's work was well done.
Roll back the tide of years a half century, and
open to view the unbroken wilderness, the distant
courts, the sparse population, the .solitary path,
the overflowing streams, the miasma of undrained
swamps; with memory only for a law library,
with intricate points of law to settle, and legal and
equitable opinions to render; no strife, no discord,
all harmony; the modest joke, the quick but well
received repartee, the friendly advice, all given
and taken by men who knew each other to be
rivals, proud of their honor, who held death pre-
ferable to disgrace. Go a half century back and
turn over the musty pages of the court house re-
cords, and see that the old work was well done by
those who were masters.
Their life's work is performed, and they rest
from their labors amid the illustrious dead, save
124
HISTOEY OF ARKANSAS.
two. One is Gen. Albert Pike, wlio yet lingers,
having since reached the crest of the hill, looking
over into the great beyond; the other is Judge
Bocage. Some passed long ago into the dream-
less sleejj, some laid down their burden of life
when seemingly but half way begun. Others la-
bored along life's highway beyond the noon, and
then laid them down by the wayside, closing their
eyelids forever on this world's work. A very few
climbed the heights to the crest, and feebly looked
upon the lonely shadow ca.st by the dawning of a
brighter day to where life ends and eternity begins.
JeI'Ferson County— PnE-Hi.sTOUic Inhabitants— Removal of the Indians— Sakrasin—Fihst Wiiitf
Settlement— Land Entries— County Formation— Seat of Ju.stice— Change of Boundaries-
Physical Description— Drainage— Variety of Soil- Forests— Desirability as a Place
OF Residence— Statistical Estimates— Public Buildings and Seat of Jus-
tice — Transportation — County' Societies — Population and Finances —
Political Outlook— Judicial Affair.s— Cities, Towns, Etc.— War
Experiences— Scii0LAi5Tic and Church Matters— Official
Directory— Selected Family Sketches.
When the summer harvest was gather'd in.
And the sheaf of the gleaner grew white and thin.
And the ploughshare was in its furrow left.
Where the stubble land had been lately cXcU. — LiiiKjfcllon
ENTION has already
been made in previous
^Qi pages of this volume of
that pre historic race
of people known as
Mound Builders who
held sway long before
the Indians and the French ar-
rived in the Mississippi Valley.
There have been found remains of
these first inhabitants in the shape
of mounds or pottery in Jefferson
County, but so few in number as
to be hardly worthy of notice.
The Indian population of the
territory now embraced in Jeffer-
son County varied at different
times, but the earliest known and somewhat tixed
occupants of these wilds were the Quapaws, who
claimed the land from the Mississippi to the Ouach-
ita hills. Here they were even when the French
Government began in 1689 in the west valley, or,
perhaps, even when Hernando De Soto's body was
sunk into "the great waters" to the east, nearly a
century and a half before, and still they remained
until near the first years of this century, when the
last of their chiefs of pure Quapaw blood was asked
by the United States Government to remove to the
Indian Territory and make room for the whites.
The aged chief, Heckatoo, submitted peacefully to
this decree, and afterward died in that territory.
They had no villages in this county, at least at a
later date (1825), and the most noted trails led to
Hot Springs. It is said that these aborigines first
learned the use of fire-arms within the limits of
this county. Sarrasin was the half-breed suc-
cessor of Heckatoo, and, before their removal to
the west, he perfomed a deed of open-hearted and
heroic daring on the river, just below the capital of
this county, that should always keep his memory
fresh in the hearts of its inhabitants. A wander-
ing band of Chickasaw Indians had stolen two
PINE BLUFF.
Jefferson County, AnKANSAa.
C^^^L^J^
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
127
white babes from a famil)' near the river. Sarra-
sin. whose generous impulses were moved by the
frantic grief of the mother, jiromised her that at a
given hour he would bring them back to her or
never return. He set out in his canoe across the
river where he located the Chickasaw camp, and
lightly springing in the midst of the sleeping war-
riors, he secured the babes, and then uttered the
Quapaw warhoop. The startled (Jhiekasaws. l)eliev
ing the Quapaws were down upon them in a body,
fled pell mell into the woods, while Sarrasin, alone
and with the two babes, entered his canoe and
made good his promises to the now overjoyed
mother. When grown to be an old man of ninety
years and ready to die, he came back to the capi-
tal, and begged tiov. John Pope (182U-85) to let
him return to his old hunting grounds to die. He
was buried at Pine Bluff, the first interment in its
cemetery. A few of the tribe still live in the ter-
ritory, as peaceful and generous hearted now as
they were in their old home in the wilds, where at
this day blooms into activity a briglit city of " the
New South."
The white population, which gathered about
Arkansas Post with the beginning of French rule
in 1089, under Gov. Sanville, just two centuries
ago, soon began to overflow into territory up the
river. The soldiers of Henri De Tonti furnished
the tirst known instance of a white man locating
within the present boundaries of Jefferson County,
the point here being chosen because it was the
tirst shelf above highwater-mark. A mixture of
real fact, and some tradition, shows that Leon Le
Roy, one of De Tonti' s men, deserted from "the
Post" on January 13, 1690. He was captured by
a band of Osages, who, it is said, kept him for
fourteen years a captive in the Ozark Mountains,
where he was treated as a messenger (and sort of
mascot) of the Great Spirit, who wished him ven-
erated as their guardian, and whose wrath would
fall upon them if he was allowed to escape. A
close watch was kept over him, but in the s]n'ing
of 1704 he escaped and reached the Arkansas
River, at the mouth of Mulberry Creek. He
had only reached the site of Little Rock, on his
way to Natchez, Miss., when the Quajiaws cap
tured him, and, as they treated him with consider-
ation, he determined to make himself one of them:
he did so, and his, it is said, was the first white
blood to mingle with that of the Quapaw nation.
He became very prominent among them, and in
1 709, when the arms and ammiinition of a party
of Spaniards, who died in the southeast part of the
State, of an epidemic, while en route to the settle-
ments in New Mexico, were found by the Quapaws,
tliey were brought to Le Roy, who was encamped
near the present site of the court house at Pine
Bluff. Here he taught the Quapaws their first
lessons in the tire-arms by which he was afterward
killed. The chief took the line.st gun in the lot,
and for 109 years it was handed down from chief
to chief until in 1818, when, on the treaty with the
United States, it was given to one of the commis-
sioners as an emblem of friendship, peace and fidel-
ity, and now lies among the relics of the Smithson-
ian Institute.
Under the French governors, Sanville ( 1889),
Bienville (1701), Cadillar (1713), de L'Epinay
(17U)), Beinville (1718), Boisbriant, Perier (1725),
Bienville (1732), Vaudreuil (1742), Keleric (1753)
and D'Abbadie (17(53), there seems not to have
been so much settlement within the limits of Jef-
ferson County, as during Spanish reign under
Govs. Ulloa(1767), O'Reilly (1768), Unzaga (1770),
Galvez (1777), Miro (1785), Carondelet (1789),
Lemos (1793), O'Farrell (1798) and Salcedo (1800).
Even after the United States secured it, and from
1804 to 1812, when subject to the power of the gov-
ernor of Indiana Territory, William H. Harrison,
it is not known at what date the squatters came in,
but they came, and during the seven years before
1819, when the Territory of Arkansas was a part
of Missouri Territory, some settled permanently
on the old hunting grounds of the Quapaws, and
in 1819 the first permanent white settler located
on the site of Pine Bluff. This was a French
trapper and hunter named Joseph Bonne. It was
in 1825 that he built a wigwam on the river bank,
between Chestnut and Walnut Streets, on ground
now caved in the river, near where Sarrasin had
his camp, and where a rifle, canoe and dog for a
long time constituted all his earthly effects. It was
128
HISTOKY OF ARKANSAS.
at this date that John Derresseaux, of Pine BlufF,
the oldest resident of the county, chose himself a
plantation near Pine BlufF. A Mr. Prewett was
also on the site of Pine Bluff with Joseph JBonne;
their two log houses constituted the city. Among
those scattered along the river on the north side
were Ambrose Bartholomew, Antoine Duchesson,
David Musick, Euclid Johnson, the Dardennis,
the Duchessons, the Vaugines, Israel Dodge, the
Widow Collar, Francis Villier, Racine (an old
man), Mitchell, Mrs. Emery and son, the Masons,
Mrs. Hackett, Vassar, Rigne, Barraque, Palmer
and Holland; while on the south side were Bailey,
Morrison, Arrington, with possibly a few others,
who were chiefly engaged in hunting and the rais-
ing of a little cotton and corn to vary their ex-
tended leisure, and many of whose names are per-
petuated in streets and townships.
That there were settlements made here previous
to the organization of the county has been shown,
but no regular land entries were made, or at least
none appear on the records, before 1829, except
numerous private surveys undated. Those made
daring that year were by Mary DuBoyce, A. Bar-
raque, James Scull, Joseph Prewett, Allen Miller,
J. S. Kelton, J. Boutwell, Stephen Goose, Joseph
Snodgrass, Susan Crump, Robert Logan, Isaac
Snodgrass, J. Russell, Robert Crawford, Abraham
Shelly, Solomon Prewett, Ruth Wagnon and
George Ivy; in 1830 there were John Boyd, John
Sherley, Robert Hammond, Charles Curtis, Abel
Johnson, William Marrs, Mark Bean, Hiram Tit-
well, Polly Lawrence, Chester Ashley, Willis Mc-
Cain, C. Aldrick, Israel Embree and Peter Kuy-
kendall; in 1831, R. W.Smith, Thomas Trammel,
Jarred Griffin, James Duchesson; in 1832, S. H.
Hempstead, Martin Serano, Creed Taylor, A. Har-
rington ; in 1833, D. F. Vaugine, one Imbraugh,
Lucy Butler, George Flinn, a raan named Wall; in
1834, John Emberson, I. Harrel, Thomas Phillips,
John Cureton, Thomas Warren. Sr. , Levi Cum-
mings and S. C. Roane; in 1835, John Pope, Arch-
ibald Yell and J. B. Thompson. These were all
previous to the year of statehood, and some were
not residents. The entries made in a few cases
were by those who kept in the van of settlement.
entering land all the way to the Indian Territory.
Entries after 1836 were most numerous in the
50' s, and next to that period ia the 60' s.
There were really no towns before Pine Bluff,
where, after some efforts to locate it near Derres-
seaux' s, Dorris', and at another site, the county
seat was placed. The first mill was built at New
Gascony by * Louis Gosserreaux; Stephen Vaugine
opened the lirst store about 1825: Creed Taylor
and the Vaugines built the first gin, which was
patronized over a territory that would astonish the
gin owners of the present day; Bradford had the
first water-mill; Mr. Barraque opened an early
store at New Gascony, which was named in honor
of his European birth country; the first store at
Pine Bluff was kept by a Mr. Fugate, and another
was controlled by a Mr. Gibson. The mail, when
it did come, was carried on horse- back. Deer,
bear and turkey made hard work almost unknown.
Shooting matches for beef or money were not un-
common. The first election was held at P. B.
Greenfield's, when Mr. John Derresseaux was just
under age and was not allowed to vote for his
favorite candidate, Henry Clay, in consequence
of which his challenger lost a vote many years later
when Mr. Derresseaux assured him he was still
"too young to vote " — for him.
If it be remembered that in 1813 a county was
first formed by the Missouri Territorial legislature
along the Arkansas River, and so given a name;
and that the same body erected Lawrence in 1815,
while in 1818 it formed Clark, Hempstead and
Pulaski, it will be seen that Jefferson County must
have been formed after Arkansas became a Terri -
tory, as it did in 1819. It was a decade follow-
ing this, however, and meanwhile four counties
(Miller, Phillips, Crawford and Independence)
were made in 1820, one (Chicot) in 1823; three
(Conway, Crittenden and Izard) in 1825; three
(Lovely, St. Francis and Lafayette) in 1827, and
two (Sevier and Washington) in 1828. During
the month of November, 1829, there were more
counties made than in any other years except 1873
* French names are spelled in various ways In the
records. The most probable spelling is made in these
pages.
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
129
and 1833, there being nine and seven respectively
in the last two, and six in 1829, all but one of
which were formed on November 2. These were
Union, Pope, Moni-oe, Jefferson, Hot Spring and
Jackson. This was seven years before statehood.
The law entitled " An Act to erect and estab-
lish the county of Jefferson," was approved on
November 2, 1829, and its first section provides as
follows: "That all that portion of the counties of
Pulaski and Arkansas included in the boundaries
as follows, to-wit: beginning on the Arkansas River
where the line between townships three and four
south strikes the same; thence east to the range line
between ranges nine and ten west; thence north
along the west side of township three to the north-
west corner of said township; thence east to the
range line between ranges six and seven west;
thence south with range line between six and seven
to the township line between townships eight and
nine; thence west on said township line to the
range line between ten and eleven ; thence north
on said range line to the township line between
three and four; thence east to the beginning; be,
and the same is hereby erected into a separate and
distinct county, to be called and known by the
name of Jeilerson. " " The temporary seat of jus-
tice, " continues the sixth section, " for the county
of Jefferson hereby established, shall be at the
house of Joseph Bone [Bonne] until otherwise pro-
vided for by law ;' ' and this act bears the signatures
of John Wilson, s})eaker of the house of represent-
atives; Charles Caldwell, president of the legisla-
tive council; and John Pojie, the Governor. On
November 17, however, a special act provided
for the county seat question by the election of
three commissioners of location — one for Vaugine
Township, one for Richland, and one for the county
generally, who were to consider offers, locate,
build temporary buildings, name the site, and pro-
vide for the sale of lots. This was done, but as
no records exist here previous to 1837, it must
suffice to say that Joseph Bonne's house on the
river bank (the site of Pine Bluff) and other houses
were the seat of justice for Jefferson County
always.
Changes were made in the boundaries Novem-
ber 3. 1831, October 29, 1836, and March 20,
1879, until the present territory was embraced;
and municipal townships have been erected from
time to time until the two townships have become
nineteen: Barraque, Bolivar, Dudley Lake, 'Rob-
erts, -Jefferson, Pastoria, Plum Bayou, Washing-
ton, Vaugine, Bogy, Spring, Niven, Vaugine,
Victoria, Richland, Talledega, Whiteville and
Milton, a fair record for a sixty -year- old county.
Jefferson County is one of the largest and
most regularly formed in the State, and lies divided
by the Arkansas River, within about fifty miles of
its mouth in a direct line. Its hapjay distance from
the Mississippi, and its proximity to the capital, and
surrounded as it is by Saline, Pulaski and Lonoke
Counties on the north, with Arkansas, Lincoln,
Cleveland and Grant on the east, south and west,
make its situation particului'ly fortunate. Its large
territory of twenty-nine miles square, making 841
square miles, or 538,240 acres, located in a latitude
of 34° north (on 15° of west longitude), similar to
the northern parts of Mississippi, Alabama and
Georgia, and with a climate whose annual temper-
ature averages less than 62° Fahrenheit, all serve to
explain its rajjid growth and many of its excellent
characteristics; for it must be remembered that the
total population, which at the close of the war decade
was but 15,714, is now very fairly estimated at
nearly 45,000, nearly trebled within twenty years.
But in order to understand this the internal
qualities of the county itself must be seen; and,
as in all these western undeveloj)ed regions, its
future history is to be greater than its past, and
now lies in emV)ryo in its fields, forests, minerals,
rivers and the like, it is with far greater interest
that these will be examined.
Two general levels compose the county, as may
be seen by the bluff at Pine Bluff, which indicates
the difference in height to be comparatively small,
while the whole county is about 800 feet above
sea- level, and with a slope toward the Mississippi
so gentle as to be practically a level. The higher
level runs southwest from the Pine Bluff shore of
the river, and embraces about one-third of the
county in the southwest, the entire remainder be-
ins: the lower level and water siarface. This water
130
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
surface embraces the Arkansas River, wliicli enters
near the northwest corner, and, taking an irregular
course, leaves near the southeast corner, almost
dividing the county equally; Plum Bayou, Bayou
Bartholomew, three or four permanent lakes, and
other shallow lakes and bayous to the extent of
about '20,723 acres, or less than one-twentieth of
the area, very much of which can be easily drained
and reclaimed.
Tlie land itself almost has no geology in the popu
lar sense of the term, for it is all a deep loam, clayey
and sandy on the iiplands, and alluvial delta on
the lowlands, of great and ancient depths, the
same soil having been discovered to a depth of over
fifty feet, where ancient shells and prehistoric
remains were found. This, having been washed
down from the rich mineral regions above, preg-
nant with potash and soda, and a wealth of or
ganic and inorganic matter, has made Jefferson
County the equal of any agricultural region in the
south, and, second only to Washington County,
Miss. , as a cotton county. In some places, as in
Bogy Township, Dr. David Dale Owen found the
strata to be alternate layers of red sand and
loam, and dark stiff ■•buckshot clay,'" and several
feet of white clay to the depth of about thirty-three
feet, where water was reached, containing salt,
soda, potash, lime, forms of magnesia, iron and
silica, a composition very similar to the river water
in dry seasons. The •' buckshot clay " is so called
from its peculiar crumbling quality. In some
places good soft water is obtained at a depth of
twenty-one feet, as near Redfield, where it also
breaks out in springs. At Pine Bluff a section
showed about a foot of line silicious loam : sixteen
feet of ash-colored and light yellowish grey loamy
clay, with some gravel; sixteen feet of red clay:
twenty-six feetof orange- colored sand, a little ferru
ginous sandstone and yellowish gray sand. A sec
tion at White Bluft' showed "ten feetof soil, sand,
clay and gravel; ten feet of thin-banded light gray
clay with sand; sixty feet of green marly clay with
fossils underlaid by light and dark-colored marls
highly fossiliferous. ' ' The well-known red sediment
of the river, which has so much to do with cotton
growth, was supposed by Dr. Owen to percolate
into the lower soils, reaching the cotton rootlets,
for good cotton will grow on sand bars where corn
would not thrive.
The growth of timber on such land has always
been great. The immense cypress growth in the
lowest parts has hardly been touched; the fine yel-
low pine and white oak of the uplands have great
futures before them; oaks of all kinds, walnuts,
pecans, hickory, sweet and black gum, sycamore,
elm, maple and cottonwood are among other more
prominent species that avail the freer introduction
of mills and factories. As to the cultivated prod-
ucts, cotton and corn lead, but the slightest at-
tention to small fruits and vegetables, especially on
the uplands, is attended with the most happy re-
sults; grapes, peaches, pears, plums, cherries,
strawberries and raspberries would rival any region
if anything like the attention was given them that
cotton and corn receive.
This situation, in connection with the mild cli-
mate, makes a held for raising horses, mules, cat-
tle, hogs and sheep that is unsurpassed, for the
abundant vegetation renders systematic feeding al
mo.st unnecessary the year around, and shelter is a
remarkably smaller item that in localities farther
north. While the expert stock raiser might not
use this method, the far less expenditure for feed
and shelter would be almost a source of wealth in
itself.
Cheap labor and lands, too, under intelligent
and trained direction, have already been sources of
rapidly gained wealth by planters even of small
capital. The rich lowlands favor the large planta-
tions, on which maybe found as high as 125 labor-
ing families, chiefly colored, while the stream-cut
uplands, away from the miasma of the undrained
lowlands, have secured a large population of the
well-to-do white small farmers. The plans in
vogue by the large land owners are the lease sys-
tem, rent system and share system, along with
which the merchant-mortgage is a marked factor.
The cultivated land is mostly in the hands of
white men, and the great bulk of farm labor is done
by colored people, who are sometimes improvi-
dent and by laboring but a few days of the week,
fail to acquire much property. There are notable
JEFFEESON COUNTY.
131
and numerous exceptions to this rule, however, in
which colored men are wealthy and employ white
men, the most marked instance being Mr. Wiley
Jones, a colored citizen of Pine Bluff, who is the
only colored owner of a street railway in the world,
and whose aid in public enterprises makes him one
of the leading factors of the county among both
white and colored. The peaceable relations of the
two races is probably more marked than in any
other part of the South, and they are characterized
by the feeling that mutual safety lies in the real
and industrial education of the colored race, by
themselves and by the co-operation of the white
people. A marked movement in this direction will
be noticed in the proper place.
The mineral springs are AVhite Sulphur, Can-
trell's, Lee's and German's. The largest lakes are
Noble's, Dick and Horseshoe.
The lands are: Bottom, about 363,000 acres;
upland, 175,000 acres; cultivated, 90,000; unim-
proved land, cultivable, 370,000 acres ; vacant
national land, 15,000 acres; railway land, 10,000;
acres in cotton in 1888, 67,450; number of bales
in 1886, 55,120. Average yields per acre: Seed
cotton on bottoms, 1,400 pounds; upland, 800
pounds; corn on bottoms, 35 bushels; upland, 15
bushels; wheat on bottoms, 30 bushels; upland,
12^ bushels; oats on bottoms, 40 bushels; upland,
20 bushels; rye on bottoms, 40 bushels; upland,
20 bushels; field peas, 50 biishels; sorghum, 100
gallons; millet on bottoms, 1^ tons; timothy. If
tons; red top, 2 tons; clover, 1^ tons; Irish pota-
toes, 50 bushels; sweet potatoes, 150 bushels; tur-
nips, 250 bushels; while water-melons, musk-melons
and pumpkins are of noted size. Estimated tim-
ber distribution: Pine, 637,735,000 feet; satin
wood, oak, cypress, cottonwood, ash and hickory,
about 1,913,205,000 feet ; shipment annually,
75,000,000 feet lumber and 10,000,000 shingles;
mills, about twenty-eight, equally distributed on
the railways in 1887. Estates, * total, exclusive of
railway lands, 1,797; number over 2,000 acres each,
40; number between 1,000 and 2,000 acres each,
44; number between 500 and 1,000 acres each, 78;
number between 300 and 500 acres each, 54; num-
* 1887, Arkansas Gazette.
ber less than 300 acres each, 1,582; assessed value
per acre, alluvial lands, exclusive of improvements,
various distances from river and rail, $15 to $25;
wooded or wild alluvial, $1 to $5; uplands in culti-
vation, $5 to $10 per acre: wooded or wild up-
lands, $1 ; all of which may usually be taken as
about half of its real value. Acres of land taxed,
406,145; assessed value, $2,478,617; assessed
value of city property, $1,306,760; total value of
city reality, $3,785,377; number of horses, 2,019
— value, $79,179; number of mules, 3,113 — value.
$166,195; number of cattle, 8,522— value, $55,742;
number of sheep, 1,005 — value, $1,220; number
of hogs, 5,076 — value, $6, 362; number of wagons,
1,327 — value, $37,001; all other personal prop-
erty, $1,027,421; total personal property, $1,373,-
110; total real and personal, $5,547,747; county
tax, $40,898.60; State tax, $21,617.73; total,
$62,516.33; number miles of railroad in the
county, 130 — St. Louis, Arkansas & Texas, 43
miles; Little Rock, Mississipjsi River & Texas, 47f
miles; Pine Bluff & Swan Lake, 26 miles; the
Altheimer branch of the St. Louis, Arkansas &
Texas Railway, 14| miles; stations on St. Louis,
Arkansas & Texas Railway, 10; stations of Little
Rock, Mississippi River & Texas Railway, 17;
stations of Pine Bluff & Swan Lake Railway, 11;
number miles of navigable river fi'ont, 162; land-
ings between Pine Bluff and mouth of river, 27;
landings between Pine Bluff and Little Rock, 18.
There has been increase in nearly all items since
1887; but, all things considered, the greatest
growth has been in the last decade, greater than in
any other in the career of the county.
The county seat has always been on the site of
the "City of Pines," even before the commission-
ers had chosen the site, as directed in the act of
the General Assembly, and named it from two
natural characteristics — Pine Bluff. The house
of Joseph Bonne was on land between Chestnut and
Walnut Streets, now caved into the river, and
served as the first court house just ten years after
he located there. After that court was held
in various rented log houses, but particularly in
one on Barraque Street, under an oak tree which
1 was destroyed in the great fire of 1877, and under
132
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
whose branches many a pioneer court sat in solemn
dignity in the open air. In 1839 Jacob Brump
was given the contract for the erection of a brick
court house, to be located on the site between the
present court house and the river. It was 40 feet
square, two stories, with an octagon bell tower,
and cost $5,300, and a front view sketch of it may
still be seen in the deed records of 1839 — the early
work of Pine Bluff's present venerable mayor. It
was in 1856 that this was superseded by the pres-
ent structure, a two-story painted brick, 50 feet
by 54 feet, with two one- story wings 20 feet by 40
feet, and of a mixed fortress and Greek style of
architecture. Jacob Brump was commissioner
and George G. Keeler contracted to complete it
for $15,000. Among the changes since made may
be mentioned the removal of the court room to the
lower floor, the extension of the front porch and
the vaults on the northeast corner, while still more
extensive improvements are iinder way, to cost
about $22,000. The jails formerly used were not
so good as the present one — a brick structure of
one story,, located at the rear of the court house.
The county has no poor farm.
Its highways all radiate from Pine Bluff and
are in good condition. The oldest of these is the
old military road to Little Rock and down the
river. These are the most important county struc-
tures.
On January 15, 1853, several citizens of East-
ern Arkansas, among whom was Hon. J. W. Bo-
cage, secured the charter for the Little Rock &
Napoleon Railroad. Work was begun about 1858
and by the time the war opened the bed was al-
most ready for rails. This event, of course, stopped
everything. About 1868-69 the members of the
State government secured and completed it from
Pine Bluff to Chicot — the first railway in the
country. It was finished to Little Rock about
1881-82, and is the now well-known "Valley
Route." After this came the " Cotton Belt, " or
St. Louis, Arkansas & Texas, completed in a
general northeasterly course through Pine Bluff
about 1880. It was not far from 1882 that the
Pine Bluff & Swan Lake Railway — a narrow-gauge
on the bed of the ' ' Cotton Belt ' ' to Rob Roy — was
built oft' in the direction of Corner Stone and the
east. The Altheimer Branch of the ' ' Cotton Belt, ' '
taking a northwesterly direction from Altheimer,
has been in operation for about three years, and
two other railways are contemplated.
An agricultiiral society existed before the war,
and one has been in active operation for several
years past. The county branch of the Bureau of
Immigration for the State began when that move-
ment started and has been of great benefit to the
county. The Jefferson County Medical Society
was organized November 19, 1870, and has been so
vigorous that the State society met with it in 1889.
It has twenty-eight members. The County Wheel
was formed in 1889. J. Ed. Murray Camp of
Ex- Confederate Veterans is an interesting organ-
ization effected in 1889 and has 190 members.
M. G. Sennett is commander.
Railway bonds to the amount of $100,000 were
issued April 1, 1873, and due in 1894, bearing six
per cent interest. Some of these have been paid,
but otherwise the county is out of debt, and a per-
manent sinking fund provides for continuous re-
duction of the bonds without affecting the growth
of the county, as its continued prosperity abund-
antly proves.
For the successive decades beginning with 1830
the population of Jefferson County has been 772;
2,566; 5,834; 14,971; 15,733; 22,386; and (esti-
mated) 45,000 in 1889. In 1860 the white and
colored proportions were, respectively, 7,813 and
7,158; in 1870 were 5,566 white to 10,167 colored,
and in the year 1880, 5,331 to 17,011 colored.
The increase of negro population over the white
in 1889 is equally marked. In 1880 there were
395 foreign born persons to 21,991 native.
The proportion of negro to white population
just indicated has given Jefferson County that
greatest of great problems in the South — the peace-
able adjustment of negro and white government.
Bixt great as the problem is the county seems to
have solved it, for themselves at least, and in the
best manner so far known. This has been accom-
plished by the preliminary caucus of both parties
in joint committee session, in which a fusion ticket
is formed, composed of men of both races, among
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
133
wliom tbe offices are equitably distributed ou the
principle that, as the white man have the great
bulk of the property, they shall occupy the offices
that have most to do in governing taxation. The
ticket made by this committee has no rival and is
sure of election. This applies to local affairs only,
as in j)residential contests the county has of late
years been as thoroughly Republican as it was Dem-
ocratic in ante-bellum days. The general satisfac-
tion with this method is everywhere apparent, and
is due largely to the influence of moderate and
sensible men of both parties and races, who are
making honest endeavor to demonstrate a very
knotty proposition.
The only court of especial interest is that of
the circuit, which was provided for in the act of
county erection. Its first record reads as follows:
' ' June term, 1830. At a Circuit Court commenced
and held by the honorable Benjamin Johnson, one
of the judges of the Superior Court of the Territory
of Arkansas, at the house of Joseph Bone [Bonne],
in and for the county of Jeflferson, erected out of
certain designated portions of the counties of
Pulaski and Arkansas by an act of the General
Assembly of the said Territory, bearing date of the
second day of November one thousand eight hun-
dred and twenty-nine, the county of Jefferson
being one of the counties composing the second
judicial circuit of the said Territory, and assigned
to the honorable Benjamin Johnson to hear pleas
in on Monday, the twenty-eighth day of June, one
thousand eight hundred and thirty." It also
gives these grand jurors: "William Arbuckle,
foreman; Alex. B. Jones, Louis Darden, Wesley
Tracy, David Musick, Antoine Duchesson, Asa
Mason, John Manuel, Antoine Kelly, Alex. Slater,
William Bailey, Hiram Reid, H. L. Allen, Raphael
Brumback, Jacob Callicote, John Noble, Francis
Darden, Samuel Davis and Wigton King."
The first action was on the jurisdiction over
Israel Emery in a murder case. The first court
held in the town of Pine Bluff began December
24, 1832.
The legal fraternity of Jefferson County or
Pine Bluff has always been one of prominence in
the State — men, too, who have been prominent in
govei'nmental affairs. Among the most influential
from the lirst have been Gov. S. C. Roane, M. W
Dorris, Gen. James Yell, Gov. John S. Roane
Judge J. W. Bocage, Solon B. Jones, Capt. A. T
Stewart, Senator R. W. Johnson, Col. M. L. Bell
Col. W. P. Grace, A. B. Grace, Judge J. C
Murray, Judge W. M. Harrison, R. E. Waters
John S. Anderson, Maj. Herman Carlton, Col. O
A. Bradshaw, Judge D. W. Carroll, W. M. Gallo
way, W. F. Owen. C. M. Tannehill, R. B, Mc
Cracken, Judge Ira McL. Barton, Judge H. B
Morse, Col. M. L. Jones, Judge John A. Williams
Gen. H. King White, Col. N. T. White, Judge J
M. Elliott, Judge W. E. Hemingway, Judge M'
S. McCain, Judge T. F. Sorrells, John M. Taylor.
J. G. Taylor, Sam. M. Taylor, Col. John M. Clay
ton, Judge W. P. Stephens, Senator John W
Crawford, N. A. Austin, J. M. Cunningham
Thomas J. Ormsby and others of briefer residence
S. J. Hollingsworth is the most notable among the
colored bar.
The work of the courts of Jeiferson County has
been characterized more probably by land litigation
and debt than anything else. Its criminal prac-
tice has not been very extensive or notable. The
first case of execution was about 1847, when Judge
J. W. Bocage was prosecutor, and Col. W. P.
Grace, in his maiden speech, plead for the defense
— the only criminal case he ever lost in his remark-
able career as a criminal lawyer. Since that time
there have been less than a half dozen executions
in the whole career of the courts. Colored law-
yers were not generally in practice until during
the 70' s.
The circuit judges who have presided over the
circuit containing this county have been: Judges
Benjamin Johnson Roysden, Euclid L. Johnson,
Isaac Baker (1840), W. H. Sutton (1845), Josiah
Gould (1849), John C. Murray (1851), T. F. Sor-
rells (1853), John C. Murray (1858), W. M. Harri-
son (1865), H. P. Morse (1868), John A. Williams
(1874), X. J. Pindall, (1878), J. A. Williams
(1882), and John M. Elliott (1888).
In connection with the bench and bar of the
county may be mentioned a list of Jefferson's
citizens who served in Congress: Senator R. W.
134
HISTOEY OF ARKANSAS.
Johnson, 1855 to 1861; Representatives R. W.
Johnson, a part of the time between 1847 and 1853;
A. A. C. Rogers (seat contested by J. T. Elliott),
1869 to 1871; O. P. Snyder, 1871 to 1873; same
(contested by M. L. Bell), 1873 to 1875; C. E.
Breckinridge, State-at-large, 1883-85, 1885-87,
1887-89, and 1889-91.
Post-offices are usually centers about which
■villages spring up, and, with that basis, the fol-
lowing list in Jefferson County seems happily pro-
phetic: Altheimer, Bankhead, Cornerstone, Dex-
ter, Double Wells, Fairfield, Faith. Garretson's
Landing, Greely, Greenback, Grier, Humphrey,
Jefferson, Kearney, Linwood, Locust Cottage,
Macon, Madding, New Gascony, Noble's Lake,
Niibia, Pastoria, Pine Bluff, Plum Bayou, Eain-
ey, Red Bluff, Redfield, Rob Roy, Sleeth. Toronto,
Wabbaseka, English, Swan Lake, and "Williamette.
But as far as the past or even present is concerned
Pine Bluff and the county are almost synonymous,
for the activity and much of the population cen-
tered there from the beginning, and what villages
now exist outside the capital are very recent de-
velopments of railway shipping points. It is safe
to say that over one third of the county reside in
Pine Bluff, and that over half of these are white.
As to ago, St. Mary's Landing and New Gas-
cony store are the oldest, both settled in French
times. Eob Roy and Pine Bluff were founded
about the same time. Garretson's Landing and
Wabbaseka are also very old places. Others have
grown up within a decade almost.
As to size. Pine Bluff, Redfield, Altheimer,
Jefferson Springs and Rob Roy are the order of
those that can be called towns.
Pine Bluff is so thoroughly identified with the
county that it seems superfluous to treat it sepa-
rately. The land was entered in 1831, by Joseph
Bonne, although he bad settled here as early as
1819. This comprised the "old town." He soon
sold it to John T. Pullen, one of the first English
settlers in this region, who not long after di.sposed
of it to " Pinkard, Chowning, Davis & Dawson,"
a firm of non-residents. It is variously claimed
that the first lots were laid out by Mr. Pullen, Mr.
A. H. Davis, in 1837, and John E. Graham, still
later, but the probability is that Mr. Pullen made
the first and the others additions or re surveys.
About 1843 this company sold the site to Gens.
James and Yell, and subsequent extensions will be
found in connection with the incorporation.
Besides those mentioned, one of the early fam-
ilies of the place was that of James N. Buck, of
whose children (Irving O., John L. and Eliza E.)
Col. John L. lived to be the oldest citizen of the
town. Another old settler was Drew White and
family. Joseph Bonne owned the first tavern,
which was kept by a Spaniard named Casamus,
and the cooking was done by old Corey Brown's
wife, a colored woman. James Buck and Drew
White also had taverns at "the Bluff" until the
war. A Mr. Fugate gave his name to a street by
keeping the first store at the north end. Among
other early business men were Messrs. Dorris,
Maulding, Hewes, James, Scull, Tucker, Bird,
Greenfield and Kay. *
From this beginning ' ' the Bluff ' ' gradually
began to be a river trading point; manufactories
sprung up from time to time; a wholesale and sup-
ply trade began to spread; men of large estates
made Pine Bluff their home; some of the ablest
legal talent of the State located, and finally the
war came and caused general ruin to estates, busi-
ness, and society, although the town itself was not
seriously destroyed by anything but general decay.
The period of reconstruction was one of slow
growth, and it was not until about 1870 that the new
Piue Bluff began to make itself known by a vig-
orous but not intermittent growth, which promises
to make it the rival of any city in the State.
The new surroundings and independent movements
of both races in developing the great cotton belt of
this State have had their effect on Pine Bluff. It
has made large increase in local capital, and as a
home for large planters who are also investors in
commerce and business generally, has contributed
to the place a solidity of growth and structure
plainly evident to the most ordinary observer.
The manufactures of Pine Bluff began in 1850
with a small foundry by Henry Cloyes; he after-
*Aekuowledgment is especially due the Press-Eagle
for many of these facts.
JEFFEESON COUNTY.
135
ward added a corn mill and planing-mill. Will-
iam Scull had a sash, door, and planing factory
from 1857 until the Federal army took charge of
it. The next factory was a similar one owned by
the largest contractors in the county — Bell &
Bocage, who had mills in various parts of the
county, and a steam brick factory. At the time
their works burned (August 23, 1878) they were
the largest south of St. Louis, and of over 100
employees about half were skilled mechanics.
Their loss exceeded $60,000. In 1871 E. W. Bo-
cage built his Pine BlufP Iron and Engine Works.
The next were the Pine Bluff Agricultural Works,
erected by a joint stock company. This was under
the management of AV. J. McKinney. In 1875
the Emma Oil Company began, and in less than a
decade they had six presses of six boxes each. In
1877 the Pine Bluff Oil Company began their
works, but were soon absorbed by the Emma Com-
pany, under the presidency of G. H. Blood. The
foundry and machine shops of J. W. Bocage &
Co. were erected near the Valley depot in 1879,
and soon became one of the largest works of this re-
gion. In 1880 the Jefferson Iron Works Company
were organized by Messrs. Franklin, Preston and
Hardin, and began work in the old Baptist Church
bixilding on Barraque Street. The works soon fell
into the hands of Preston & Prigmore. The Star
Planing and Shingle Mills were opened in January,
1879, by Smith & Riggin, with Mr. G. Morris as
foreman. The Bluff City Lumber Company is a
wood- working factory, successor to the O. D. Peck
Company. The Ice & Coal Company have a large
ice plant, erected in 188-1. The machine works of
Dilley & Son care for that kind of work. E. L.
Colburn has a gin and grist mill, and the " Cotton
Belt" Railway division shops are large works.
Several brick kilns are in operation, while a few
drug tirms make patent medicines. Thomas Green
has a general cart factory, and Mr. Currie's fac-
tory for native wines has headquarters here.
The Merchants' & Planters' Bank was organ-
ized December 1, 1876, with a capital of $58,000.
The First National Bank was formed on Septem-
ber 2, 1882, with a cash capital of 150,000. An-
other bank is in course of formation with a capital
of $300,000. The Citizens' Bank was formed
February 10, 1887, with a capital of $100,000.
The city has two excellent street railways — the
Citizens' and Wiley Jones — each with respective
capitals of $30,000 and $25,000. The latter, as
stated elsewhere, is the only street railway line in
the world owned by a colored man.
Telephone and telegraph facilities are excel-
lent, and the Pine Bluff Water & Light Company,
with a capital stock of $200,000, furnishes elec-
tric light of 1,500 incandescent and 100 arc light
capacity, and water with a domestic pressure of
80 pounds, and fire pressure of 200 pounds to
the square inch, and with pipe of size sufficient
for a city of 200.000. The pumping capacity is
3,500,000 gallons in twenty-four hours. The sys-
tem of sewerage is good and has thirty-inch mains.
The police and fire departments are well organized.
The city has an immense cotton trade and has
two compresses. Its wholesale, jobbing and retail
houses are numerous and extensive, and increasing
constantly.
One opera house and two large parks — the
Recreation or Citizens' and Wiley Jones' — repre-
sent the amusement side of Pine Bluff, while
White Sulphur Springs is the nearest resort.
The incorporation of Pine B'uff as a town oc-
curred on December 12, 1848, when its population
was less than 400. This was known as the "Old
Town," and included what is bounded by Walnut,
Sixth Avenue, and Tennessee Streets and the river.
The first mayor was James De Bond, Jr., and his
council was composed of W. P. Grace, lawyer; Drew
White, landlord and mail contractor; L. L. Mandel,
merchant; Theron Browntield, carpenter. It was
the duty of Col. Grace, the clerk, to formulate the
first ordinances, which he did during about two
months, and it is related that he was allowed $25,
provided he would have them printed. As the
printing cost him $24.50, his public contract
proved to be a grand exception to what such con-
tracts are popularly supposed to be. Many of
these ordinances are still in force. In 1860 the
place reached a population of about 700 or 800,
and was incorporated as a city. The town had
begun to extend west and south. Additions were
136
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
made: Drew White's, 11 blocks ia 1854; James',
18 blocks in 1854; Woodi-nff's, 73 blocks in 1855;
Finnerty's, 7 blocks in 1855; Harding's, 72 blocks
in 1869; James & Simpson's, 18 blocks in 1871;
Tannehills & Owen's, 9 lots in 1872; Taylor's, 9
blocks in 1873; WoodrufF's, 11 lots in 1873; Scull's,
8 blocks in 1873; Allis', 14 lots in 1877; Vining's,
10 lots in 1878; Worthen's, 9 blocks in 1879;
Harding's, 83 lots in 1879; G. Meyer's, 14 lots in
1880; Dorris', 57 blocks in 1881; Brump's, 7 lots
in 1881; Mills', 8 blocks in 1883; Johnson's, 2
blocks in 1883; Morris', 12 lots in 1883; Bloom's,
13 lots in 1883; Tridock's, 6 blocks in 1884; Ring-
ler's, 16 blocks in 1884; Gibson's, 10 blocks in
1884; D. C. White's, 3 blocks in 1885; Oliver's, 8
blocks in 1885; M. J. Scnll's, 16 blocks in 1885;
Houston & James', 10 lots in 1885; Portis Land
Go's., 21 lots in 1885; Pine Bluff Land Go's.,
35 blocks in 1886; Hudson's, 20 lots in 1886;
Smith & Wheatley's, 22 lots in 1888; Rogers',
13 blocks in 1886; D. White's, 11 lots in 1886;
Sorrells & De Woody's, 14 blocks in 1887; Geis-
reiter's, 35 blocks in 1887; Wilkins & Hauf's, 15
acres in 1887; W. J. Hammett's, 22 lots in 1887;
Wiley Jones', 15 acres in 1888; Fee Webb's, 120
acres in 1888. The city is divided into four wards.
Secret societies, as well as social and profes-
sional ones, are extensively represented. Among
those of the white people which have existed and
are still in operation, are two Masonic societies, a
Royal Arch Ghapter, a Commandery, Odd Fellows,
a Jewish Order. Knights of Honor, Royal Arca-
mim, American Legion of Honor, Knights of Py-
thias, Knights of Labor, Grand Army of the Re-
public, etc. ; while among the colored people may
be mentioned the Masons, Odd Fellows, Brothers
and Sisters of Friendship, Sons and Daughters of
Lily, Knights of Pythias, etc.
A public library exists, and the Merrill Institute,
now nearly completed, will be a public institution
containing library, reading room, lecture rooms,
gymnasium, etc.
The newspapers of the county began with The
Jeffersonian, issued about 1847, by W. E. Smith,
who was succeeded by a Mr. Wyatt. It was short
lived. In 1850 Luckie & Carter issued the Pine
Bluff Republican, and among others afterward
connected with the paper were Messrs. Wells, E.
H. Vance, Bushnell, Shepherd, and Jiidge Reed
Fletcher. The American was a contemporary
under E. H. Vance. W. Q. Dent issued the Pine
Bluff Democrat about 1856, and Wells & Luckie
began the Jefferson Enterprise near the same time,
Mr. Luckie' s death afterward causing the joui-nal
to fall into the hands of Fletcher & Williams,
whom Gol. W. Williams succeeded. Lee & Doug-
lass secured it in 1858 and gave it the name. The
Independent. During the war H. B. Worsham
published The War Bulletin, the first daily ever
published in the county. For some time before
1865 there was no local paper, but at that date The
Dispatch was begun by Morton & Bowers, and
later on was edited by the well known deceased
journalist, Maj. J. H. Sparks. Very soon Lee &
Williams established The Orthopolitan, which was
replaced by The Southern Vindicator, by Williams,
Lee & Ryan, of whom Gol. J. G. Ryan was the
leading editorial spirit. In 1868 J. L. Bowers be-
gan The Jefferson Republican, with which Messrs.
Ira McL. Barton, J. B. Dow, F. K. Lyman, Frank
Silverman, O. P. Snyder, E. W. McGracken, and
A. R. Graig were connected. The Pine Bluff
Press was established in January, 1869, by W. G.
Thomas, with whom Maj. Charles G. Newman was
soon associated, and who assumed full control on
the death of Gol. Thomas, in February, 1874. In
September, 1888, Newman & Ryan changed it to a
daily, and in January, 1879, it suspended, and in
January, 1881, S. G. Ryan secured it and resumed
publication from April to October 9, when it was
burned. It resumed on the 11th as a daily, but
on the 1st of November joined The Eagle and be-
came The Weekly Press-Eagle. The Weekly Eagle
had been started February 28, 1880, by W. F.
Bell, but at his death on August following, his
brothers. D. C. and J. G. Bell, succeeded him. In
November Bell & Mun-ay secured it, and Ryan &
Murray made the consolidation. These latter gen-
tlemen had control separately at times, and now it
is in the hands of Arthur Murray. In May, 1881,
Maj. G. G. Newman established the Pine Bluff
Daily Commercial, which has been the only daily
JEFFEESON COUNTY.
137
since. The Graphic was started by Judge E.
Fletcher in 1887, and is now in the hands of J. W.
Adams. The Hornet is a colored paper which has
been in various hands. It was started by J. C.
Duke. Outside of Pine Bluff, the only paper has
been the Eedfield Star, by C. T. Munroe, not now
published. A few other efforts have been made,
but were short lived. The journals have ably rep-
resented the interests of the community in which
they have been so important a factor.
Eedlield grew out of the Little Eoek, Missis-
sippi Eiver & Texas Eailway interests, together
with the efforts of J. K. Broadie, by whom it
was laid out recently, although it has been
a business point since early iu the present decade.
It has about 1,000 people, and, besides general
stores, has a large wood-working mill. Messrs.
Fairman, Daniels, Sallee Brothers and W. C.
McKinnis are among the leading men.
Altheimer is the junction of the Little Eock &
Eastern Eailway with the "Cotton Belt" line,
and has grown up to a population of about 600 in
the last three years. The Altheimer Brothers have
been its leading spirits. Davis & McDonald are
merchants. There are two cotton gins here.
Jefferson Sjjrings is a recent lumber town on
the Little Eock, Mississippi Eiver & Texas Eail-
way of abou^t 150 people. It has two mills.
Eob Eoy has a store and is the seat of A. God-
bold' s plantation. It was formerly one of the
most prominent river shipping points of this region.
Among other places that have stores and are
the seats of plantations are Bankhead, Cornerstone,
Garretson's Landing, Kearney (mill), Linwood,
Madding, New Gascony, Noble's Lake (the seat of
Sol. Franklin's great plantation), Pastoria, Plum
Bayou, Eed Bluff, Wabbaseka and Swan Lake.
Other places are post-offices merely.
AVhether or not the old French settlers, pre-
vious to Joseph Bonne's day in 1819, took part in
our early British wars, is not known. It would not
be strange, however, if a few had participated in
the affair of 1815 at New Orleans; nor is it improb-
able that some of Jefferson County's inhabitants
had a share in the Creek, Seminole or Black Hawk
wars. They, of course, took part in what little
border Indian warfare there was, but as the
Quapaws were friendly this article has nothing
of that kind to record.
After the birth of Jefferson County in 1829,
the first war experience it had to deal with was
that of 1816 with the Mexican neighbors. There
was no particular excitement, and all who chose to
go gathered about Capt. John C. Eoane, the lead-
ing military spirit of the county, and with him
entered the northwestern part of the State recruit-
ing, finally serving bravely in the famous ranks of
Gen. Yell, of Buena Vista fame. There were but
few, however, the total population being but 5,834.
The excitement effected the county but little, and
quiet reigned until the close of the great campaign
of 1860.
The general causes which figured in the great
campaign ably represented by Lincoln, Douglas,
Breckenridge and Bell, are so well known as to
not necessitate repetition in these lines; but as the
peculiar make-up of a county almost always deter-
mined its action in that struggle it is well to glance
at the condition of Jefferson at that time. In 1 860
there was in the whole county a population of but
14,971, of whom 7,158 were colored, and the
white population exceeded them by 655, making
7,813 whites. This shows, according to the
accepted proportion of about five persons to one
voter, a vote of little more than 1,500 to the county.
It needs only to be mentioned that the county was
then as now a cotton and corn slave-holding com-
munity, to make it clear that the 1,500 voters were
supremely democratic at this particular period.
While there were a few votes for Lincoln and
Bell, the mass was chiefly divided between Doug-
las and Breckenridge, and the fact that the Hon.
W. P. Grace, of Pine Bluff', was an elector on the
Douglas ticket shows that there was no small
Douglas sentiment afloat. The result was a general
support of Douglas.
The inauguration of Lincoln and the convention
at Little Eock occurred and began the same day,
and Jefferson had its time in choosing delegates.
The Pine Bluff convention chose the Hons. James
Yell and W. P. Grace, with the understanding
that Northern aggression should be resisted — just
138
HISTORY OF AEKANSAS.
how was not generally decided upon. Two inde-
pendent strictly Union candidates were in the field
also — Anthony A. C. Rogers and Horace B. Allis,
but the election fell to Grace and Yell, who entered
the Little Rock convention of March, and Mr.
Grace was made chairman of the ordinance com-
mittee. After the well-known recess before May
6, Mr. Grace and his committee drew up the
ordinance of secession which was passed as the
best thing that Arkansas could do under the circum-
stances, and with the one dissenting voice of Isaac
Murphy, as elsewhere noted.
Meanwhile, it must be remembered, the coiinty
had two companies of State militia, which had
been organized before war was thought of; one
was the Jefferson Guards, formed by Capt. Charles
Carlton and L. Donaldson; the other, formed
early in 1861 by Capt. J. W. Socage, was known as
the Southern Guards. During April a war meet-
ing was in session at the court house at Pine Bluff,
and among the speakers for secession were Messrs.
Roane, Bell, Sorrells, Bocage, and others, while
Anthony Rogers was the exponent of the corporal' s
guard of a Union following. During the meeting
Capt. Frank McNally reported to Capt. Bocage a
telegram from Gen. Hindman that boats loaded
with national supplies had passed Helena, were
bound up the Arkansas River, and should be cap-
tured by him at Pine Bluff. Capt. Bocage called
on the meeting asking volunteers to .stop the boat
as she was reported in sight. The assemblage re-
sponded with alacrity, and Gen. Roane was placed
in command. As the boats entered in front of the
city they were ordered to stop, and by a shot across
the bow of the one in the lead, the ve.ssels came to
and their stores were captured. Capt. Bocage
telegraphed Gov. Rector of the action, to which
the latter responded that Jefferson County had
"taken a high-handed step and must foot the re-
sponsibility. ' ' They decided to ' ' foot ' ' it, and
held the goods, which were soon after ordered into
the State service by the Governor. Supplies were
also captured at Napoleon.
During 1861 there obtained the constant hurry
and bustle of recruiting and organization at Pine
Bluff', which became the headquarters and rendez-
vous for a large surrounding territory. From time
to time companies of the First Arkansas Infantry
were formed here by Col. John M. Bradley, and
about four of these companies were composed of
Jefferson County men, while some were scattered
through all the rest. The county court supported
them. A few went independently, and in various
directions, to Little Rock, and still others into
Mississippi, many serving gallantly in some of the
most famous actions of the war. In the Confeder-
ate troops they were known as the Fifteenth Ar-
kansas.
The year 1862 was passed in much the same
way, so that by its close about all the fighting force
of the county was gone. The law directing the
raising of less cotton and more corn gave the coun-
ty an abundant supjjly of the latter commodity,
which fell to ten cents a bushel. This kept the
f laves fully occupied.
The early part of 1863 passed rather unevent-
fidly, but early in October Gen. Powell Clayton
came down with a small force from Little Rock
and took peaceable possession of Pine Bluft', with-
out any attempt at fortification, merely holding it
as a post. He had been here but a few days when
Gen. Marmaduke marched upon the town with a
much larger force, and, sending in a flag, asked
Gen. Clayton to surrender. The General, of
course, took time to consider the matter, and also
used that precious time in hastily fortifying the
corirt-yard and streets leading to it with the
numerous and almost omnipre.sent cotton bales.
After he had ' ' considered, ' ' he sent Gen. Marma-
duke a refusal to surrender, whereupon the latter
made an attack on all pides against the effective
cotton bales, and after a few hours of severe fight-
ing and the death of fifteen Confederates and
eleven Federals, Marmaduke withdrew. This
occurred in the forenoon of October 25, 1863. In
the Methodist Episcopal Church recently torn down
were found many of the bullets of that fight.
Gen. Clayton soon thoroughly fortified Pine
Bluff, as it then stood, by a series of probably two
and a half miles of intrenchmeuts, in an irregular
figure, about the town. He held the town during
the remainder of the war, and, excepting ocea
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
139
sioiial raids down to the Ouachita River, there
were no subsequent events of military note.
Under the Isaac Murphy provisional govern-
ment of 1864, W. Williams and Reed Fletcher
were representatives, and M. W. Galloway was
the senator from Jefferson County.
Reconstruction was as painful a rehabilitation
here as elsewhere, but the wisdom exercised in the
mutual efforts of the white population and the
newly enfranchised race have resulted in the best
solution of their difficulties so far tried in the
whole freedmen realm.
Pioneers have seldom found time and facilities
for more than the most meager educational advan-
tages for their children at home, and in this Jeffer-
son County has not proved an exception. The
early Catholic schools, under the care of the Sis-
ters at St. Mary's, were the first to be called real
schools, and it is unfortunate that more is not
known of their excellent work.
Aside from this parochial school, it is not cer-
tain that there were any schools of note before
1841. The wealthy ones secured a tutor for their
family, and then sent their sons off to the colleges
of Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia, while their
daughters attended the most convenient semin-
aries. Occasionally an educated young man might
come along and have a short session of select
school. These, however, began at Pine Bluff. As
early as 1841 a pioneer Methodist minister, named
Rev. Hunt, opened a school in a log house at Pine
Bluff, under the auspices of the church to which
he belonged. He was assisted by his wife and
sister-in-law, and continued for a few years. Not
long after this school closed Prof. Henry Sharp
had a school for boys and girls, and about two
years later he was succeeded by Dr. Barrington.
Prof. Brander taught afterward for a couple of
years, and others of less prominence.
During the 50' s Col Alexander, of Virginia,
opened one of those academies whose purpose was
to tit boys for college. The institution flourished
under the management of this able gentleman, so
that he required assistance. Mr. John J. Martin,
the present county surveyor, was one of his teach-
ers. The school continued up to the war. Con-
temporary with it was a school for young ladies
and small boys, kept by Miss Wasserman, who
opened the institution for a time after the war.
Aboiit the same time a school was in session for a
few years before the war, at White Sulphur
Springs, and was taught by a Methodist minister.
During the decade before 1800 one was also at
Byrd Spring, under the management of Prof.
Newton. Mr. John J. Martin held a school at
Richland during those days.
Since the war the private school has largely
given way, although some excellent ones have con-
tinued up to the present. About 1865 a school
was opened by Rev. Cadesman Pope, who was
later followed by a Mr. Holloway. In 1868 was
started a promising school in the old brick Bap-
tist Church, by Mr. A. G. A. Coleman, and his
assistant. Miss Mary Cooper, but a year later the
principal died. Miss Cooper wielded a consider-
able influence in the educational movements of the
county.
The most prominent private school since their
time is Prof. J. Jordan's academy, at Pine Bluff,
which has been in successful operation for several
years as a preparatory school for colleges. The
convent school, in connection with St. Joseph's
Church (Catholic), has proved a worthy successor
of its somewhat ancient ancestor at St. Mary's,
near New Gascony.
Most notable among the private enterprises for
the education of the colored people after the war
were the school of the American Missionary Associ-
ation, a recent mission school of the Presbyterian
Church, Prof. Prewett's Commercial College, Miss
Chinn's school, and the new industrial school
movement among prominent citizens of Pine Bluff,
headed by Rev. J. M. Lucey, pastor of St. Joseph's
Chnrch. The Association school was bought in
1868 by the city, and placed in charge of a most
earnest educated man, a Mr. Martin, whose in-
fluence in negro education has been very consider-
able. The latest movement, by Rev. Lucey, pro-
mises to be one of the most advanced efforts so far
made in the South, and may prove that industrial
education is a greatly needed step in the colored
problem.
140
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
One has but to glance at these figures, giving
the number of teachers employed in the State of
Arkansas in successive years, to gain a fair idea of
the growth of popular education in any part of the
State: In 1869 there were 1,335; in 1870, 2,302;
in 1871, 2,128; in 1872, 2,035; in 1873, 1,481; in
1874-75, no reports; in 1876, 461; in 1877-78, no
reports; in 1879, 1,458; in 1880, 1,872; in 1881,
2,169; in 1882, 2,501; in 1883, 2,462; in' 1884,
2,899; in 1885, 3,582; in 1886, 3,691; in 1887,
4,167; in 1888, 4,664. It will readily be seen
that the greatest care and activity have been shown
in the years of the present decade, and the most
firm and permanent improvement in the last few
years.
The old school system was not a success, for the
common school idea did not become popular until
within the last twenty years, and the public school
lands were, by the state of public sentiment, al-
lowed to amount to almost nothing in the shape of
revenue. It was largely the wealthy who could
educate, and they hired private tutors to fit their
children for foreign colleges and academies; or
an occasional professional teacher would open a
school to prepare students for higher schools.
Education was a luxury which poor whites could
not have, and, as for the negro, the idea was not
entertained. Education, too, was pui'ely literary,
such as it was in many other parts of the country.
The practical and industrial phases of it are just
beginning to be fully appreciated; the realization
gains ground that industrial and practical educa-
tion, not the literary alone, is a key to all success-
ful permanent progress. None in all the South
have been quicker to adopt such progressive ideas
and put them in practice than the leaders in the
educational movements of JefPerson County.
It was Pine Bluff which led in the vigorous
organization of the public school system in 1868,
and the county generally soon followed. A tax
was levied in 1868, and the election of school
directors resulted in the choice of Messrs. R. W.
Trimble, W. P. Grace, G. Meyer, S. McAlmont,
J. T. J. Havis, and Ira McL. Barton. They be-
gan with a fund of about .110,000, and, although
the decision of the Supreme Court making the levy
payable in scrip instead of currency made a falling
off in funds, the directors arranged to build a
school structure that would be an honor to the city.
By the fall of 1871 the present fine high school
building was finished by Messrs. Bell & Socage.
It is of brick, and three stories, 64x68 feet, with a
tower of 88 feet. Its cost was $18,000, which was
paid by 1 876. At the same time they bought, at a
total cost of $3,000, the building of the American
Missionary Association for the colored people.
Both buildings have since been so well fitted up
that there is now abundant room for both white
and colored children, who have equal advantages.
Miss Ruth McBride, who has had charge of the
city schools for some years, has been a great factor
in their progress, and the schools have graduated
several classes of good grade. The high school,
enrolling over 300, with five teachers, and Pine
Street school, enrolling over 200, with four teachers,
are white schools; while the Normal, enrolling over
160, with three teachers; Merrill school, enrolling
over 200, with four teachers; Second Avenue, en-
rolling over 180, with three teachers; and Cockrill
school, enrolling over eighty, with one teacher, are
colored. Annunciation Academy, enrolling over
170, with eight teachers; Prewett's Commercial
College, enrolling over seventy, with three teachers ;
Jordan's Academy, enrolling over fifty, with two
teachers; Miss Chinn's school, enrolling over
twenty- five, with one teacher, are private white
schools, while the colored are Prof. Crump's
school, enrolling over forty, with two teachers, and
the Presbyterian Academy, enrolling over 140, with
three teachers.
The branch Normal school of the State Uni-
versity was secured to Pine Bluff largely through
the efforts of ex- Senator N. T. White. A tract of
twenty acres in the west part of the city was
secured, and a fine brick structure, trimmed with
Alabama granite, was erected in 1882 at a cost of
$10,000. It has four rooms and an assembly hall,
and all the appurtenances of a first-class school.
It has been from the first in charge of Prof. J. C.
Corbin, whose thorough comprehension of the
needs of the colored people for teachers, the object
for which the institution was founded, has made
JEFFEESON COUNTY.
141
the school one of the lirst of the kind in the South,
and its influence has aheady been widely felt even
during its brief existence. Its final cost was over
$42,000.
The schools outside of Pine BlufP are all merely
district schools, and have increased from year to
year since 1868. The population is so largely
colored, that they are principally in the hands and
are composed of colored people. The general
ignorance of this race in 1868 has made their
growth in school management, although rapid as
compared with their own condition, very slow and
wasteful as compared with white schools generally.
The fact that many school officers can neither read
nor write has left the reports of the county in a
lamentable condition until very recently, when
some improvement has been manifest.
The total enumeration for the year ending
June 30, 1885, was 9,154, while there were
11,567 in 1888; the white enumeration in 1885
was 2,127, to 7,027 colored, while in 1888 the
white were 2,755, to 8,782 colored; the white en-
rollment (4,346) and the colored (5,609) in 1885
compares enviously with 1,550 white and 5,003
colored in 1888; a total of 9,955 in 1885 to 6,553
in 1888, which seems difficult to account for,
except by carelessness in reporting by district
officers; that out of thirty-eight districts in 1885
four voted the five mill tax, and twenty-nine out
of thirty-four voted it in 1888, shows a remarkable
development in popular interest; in 1885 there
were ninety-six teachers reported, of whom sixty-
two were males and thirty-four females, while in
1888 there were reported ninety-five teachers, of
whom seventy-three were male and only four
female, a remarkable change as far as the sex of
teachers is concerned; in 1885, the monthly wages
ranged from $35 to $60, while in 1888 none were
above $47.50; there were thirty one school houses
— one brick and thirty wood — in 1885, to thirty-
four in 1888, some of logs; but two grounds were
inclosed in 1885, to eleven in 1888; the property,
valued in 1885 at $21,597, was increased in 1888
to $32,220; the amount expended in 1885 was but
$9,844.15, while out of receipts which aggregated
$47,880.62 in 1888, $32,585.04 was spent, over
three times as much as in the former year, and by far
the most of it was paid to teachers ; this shows that
the grade of teachers is rapidly improving. No
institutes have been reported, and improvement in
the grading of schools has not been very marked.
A very large proportion of the teachers are col-
ored, and the fact of the location of the State
Colored Normal School in the county has given
Jefferson County a prestige and opportunity held
by no other colored county in the State.
There are really three religious periods in the
history of the county, corresponding to the early
French settlements, the slave -holding period and
the post-bellum period. The first of these was
Catholic, and the earliest church in the county in
the first years of this century was St. Mary's, on
the plantation afterward owned by Judge James
Scull. St. Mary's Convent was contemporary with
it there, and under the conduct of the Sisters of
Charity, became one of the most famous schools of
the Southwest, where some ladies of the present
leading families were educated. The church was
removed to Pine Bluff several years before the war,
and will be mentioned farther on.
The ante-bellum period was characterized by
white congregations of the Methodist, the Episco-
pal, the Catholic, the Presbyterian (O. S.), the
Baptist and the Jewish societies. The Catholic had
been here first; the Methodists had itinerants here
as early as 1819, according to best authority, but
not very regularly until about 1830; the Episcopal
society came in next in 1838; the Baptists came in
probably next, and were well organized by 1854;
the Presbyterians became a fixture in 1858, the
same year that the Jews began to make efforts to
get a footing, although the latter did not organize
until 1866.
The post-bellum period is marked by the organ-
ization of colored churches, and their marvelous
growth. They are confined to the Missionary
Baptist, the African Methodist Episcopal Church
and the Methodist Episcopal Church denomina-
tions, which sprung up in that chronological order.
The Catholic Church seems to have fallen into
the background in the county by 1850, when Eev.
Patrick A. McGowan came here, for there was no
142
HISTOEY OF ARKANSAS.
church at that time in the whole county. In 1851
Father McGowan built St Joseph's Church at Pine
BhifF, and in the year following erected one at
Plum Bayou. In 1S55 and 1856 he built those at
New Gascony and Noble Lake, called respectively
St. Peter's and St. Paul's. St. Mary's was also
rejuvenated. St. Peter's and St. Paul's each
numbered about 500 and 200 respectively before
the war, but the latter has since disappeared, and
St. Peter's has fallen off very much. St. Joseph's
has increased greatly, though the whole number in
the county is probably not more than at the begin-
ning of the war. The figures above include white
and colored. St. Joseph's old building was
removed and in its place was erected the present
tine church and convent in 1867. Among the
priests who have succeeded Father McGowan are
Fathers Behan. Donovan. Clark, Ryan, Duggin
and others. The present pastor. Rev. J. M.
Lucey, took charge in 1873, and his progressive
ideas have raised the church to an advanced posi-
tion. The new industrial school now agitating is
due to his initiatory steps.
The Methodist Church had itinerants here as
early as 1819, and from the earliest membership
this region was, down to 1854, in Arkansas Confer-
ence, but in that year Little Rock Conference was
organized and has since covered the white mem-
bership south of the river. The first "circuit
rider" began regularly in the new town of Pine
Bluff in 1830. This was Rev. John A. Henly.
From that time on the growth was continuous, and
in the great separation of 1847 all in Jefferson
County were of the Southern branch. The col-
ored people attended the white churches, and
sometimes had services alone, although there was
no organization. These churches increased stead-
ily until now there are about fifteen churches in
the county, with a membership of not far from 765.
These are in various circuits: Pine Bluff circuit
has the Main Street and Lake Side churches, with
memberships, respectively, of 300 and 50, and with
buildings valued at $20,000 and $5,000, respect-
ively; Toledo circuit has Concord and Double
Wells churches, with property valued at $1,000,
and a membership of about seventy- five; Auburn
circuit includes Hawley's Chapel and Salem, with
some property and a membership of about fifty;
Pastoria circuit has Flat Bayou, Raineyville, Pas-
toria and Jones Chapel in it, with some 150 mem-
bers and about $5,000 in property; in Redfield
circuit are Macon, Goodfaith, Hensley, Redfield
and Red Bluff, with about 140 members and $2,000
in buildings. Pine Bluff and Pastoria have par-
sonages, the former valued at $2, 500 and the latter
at $750. The ministers are Revs. T. H. Ware,
Horace Jewell, W. H. Browning, C. B. Brinkley
and Josephus Loring, at Pine Bluff; Rev. Wilson,
at Macon; Rev. J. F. Shaw, at Grady, and Rev.
W. I. Rogers, at Pastoria. At Pine Bluff', Rev.
Henly was succeeded, on the circuit including
Little Rock, Pine Bluff and Arkansas Post, by
Revs. Mahlon Bewley, W. A. Boyce, Fountain
Brown and James Esses. About 1837 Rev. Will-
iam P. Ratcliffe began, and soon the first church
was erected in Pine Bluff, and used until 1857,
when another church was built, the one recently
standing at the crossing of the "Valley Route"
Railway and Main Street; this cost $4,500. Revs.
James Custer, R. M. Cole, James Graham, Stephen
Carlisle, David Crawford, Mason B. Lowry,
Nathan Taylor, Gideon W. Cottingham, and Am-
brose M. Barrington covered the time until 1848,
when Pine Bluff' became a station. Rev. Barring-
ton until 1851, Revs. Lewis S. Marshall (1851-52),
William T. Anderson (1853-57), James M. Good-
win (1858), P. C. Harris (1859), John M. Bradley
(1860), Columbus O. Steel (1861), Cadesman Pope
(1862-66), James M. Pirtle (1867), W^ C. Hearn
(1868-70), Henry B. Frazee (1871), Horace Jewell
(1872-75), Charles F. Evans (1876-78), W. H.
Browning (1879-84), E. M. Pitkin (1885), John
F. Carr (1886-88), and Horace Jewell have been
the pastors since. The present beautiful brick
church recently built is the finest in the city. This
is the only denomination of white Methodists in
the county.
The Episcopal Church is confined to Pine Bluff.
Rev. William Mitchell, M. D., located at this place
about 1838, under the direction of the Rt. Rev.
Dr. Oatey, but he seems to have made no organi-
zation. During his two years' stay he solemnized
JEFFEKSON COUNTY.
145
the romantic marriage of Judge J. W. Bocage and
Miss Frances Irene Lindsay, to attend which the
gallant judge swam the river. There seems to have
been nothing but occasional visiting missionaries
down to 1860, of whom were Eevs. W. C. Stout
and Bishops Oatey, Polk and Freeman. In 1800,
when the diocese embraced Arkansas and Indian
Territory, the Bishop, Henry C. Clay, D. D. , se-
cured the services of Rev. Robert W. Trimble for
Pine Bluff, and the first services were held in the
old brick Baptist Church — since a machine shop
on Barraque street. Rev. Trimble organized the
church under the name St. John's. As the war
opened, about !?4,000 was secured for a building,
but the rector and many members joined the First
Arkansas Regiment, the former as chaplain. He
soon returned and reorganized the church, how-
ever, and at that time changed the name to Trinity
Church. From the battle of Pine Bhiff nntil Sep-
tember, 1865, Dr. Trimble lived in Swan Lake,
bnt during the latter month returned and re-
organized in a private parlor. Subscriptions were
again renewed, both here and in the East, by Dr.
Trimble, and soon 14,000 was raised. Although
the corner-stone was laid in November, 1866, the
beautiful structure was not completed until Christ-
mas, 1870, at a total cost of $18,000. After a
long and active work, in which he baptized over
800 people, the venerable rector's failing health
led to his resignation in August, 1881, and April
17, 1882, he passed away. In 1883 he was suc-
ceeded by the present rector. Rev. I. O. Adams.
Since that date the membership has increased, and
mission services have been ojjened at Altheimer
and New Gascony. There have also been added
about $2,000 in improvements to buildings, and a
pipe organ purchased at a cost of $2,200.
The Baptist Church for white people has two
branches in the county — the Primitive and the
Missionary. Both came in at an early date, but
it is not known which was first, probability point-
ing, however, to the Primitive, who have but few
members, and but one or two congregations each
of colored and white. Bethlehem Church is the
only white church in the county, about twelve
miles west of Pine Bluff. New Hope Association
covers it, and was organized in 1855. The Regu-
lar or Missionary Baptists are confined to Pine
Bluff, the white branch belonging to the Friend-
ship Association, which was organized in 1872.
Pine Bluff Church was first organized in about
1854 by members and friends of the society, among
the latter of whom Col. W. P. Grace was very
active. Their church was scarcely built when it
was destroyed by a supposed incendiary fire. In
1857 a brick church was erected on Barraque street,
and afterward became a machine shop. The pres-
ent frame structure was erected in 1876 on Sixth
Avenue, and has recently been improved to the
value of $1,000, while a $2,000 parsonage has been
attached. Rev. Lee was pastor from 1854 until
the outbreak of the war, after which date the
church, notwithstanding repeated efforts, remained
disorganized until 1876. Rev. L. Quinn assumed
pastoral charge the following year, and remained
until he was succeeded by Rev. W. W. Tinker, of
Kentucky, who continued but a year and left in
1881. Two years later, after supplies had served
intermittently, Rev. A. J. Fawcett began a five-
year pastorate, and was succeeded at the close by
Rev. G. S. Kennard for 1888. Since that date
Rev. W. C. Golden has been in charge, and the
membership has risen to about 140 persons.
The Presbyterian Church, of what is called in
the South the Old School, began with Pine Bluff,
and has not secured a footing in the county out
side of that except a colored mission. This church
gives the presbytery its name. On May 15, 1858,
Rev. John J. Boozer, of Sorith Carolina, formed
the society at Pine Bluff', and continued with it as
pastor until his death in 1864. No minister was
then secured until October, 1866, when Rev. E.
McNair, of North Carolina, entered upon his duties.
Dr. McNair was an able man, and at the close of his
pastorate, January 1, 1879, Rev. William Dabney
succeeded him, but only remained until 1881, on
account of failing health. In April of that year
Rev. J. A. Dickson, of Millersburg, Ky. , was
called to this pulpit, and in September assumed
its offices, which he has ably filled ever since. The
church building is a large frame erected in 1859-60,
and the congregation has increased remarkably.
146
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
reaching above 300. Their choir is one of the best
in the city. They have also a colored mission.
The Hebrew Church began the congregation,
Anshe Emeth, at Pine Blntt', with the location of
Rabbi Aaron Reinach, the same year that the Pres-
byterians formed (1858), but no organization was
effected until 1866. The few Jews in the city
succeeded in building a synagogue during the fol-
lowing year, and with the imjarovements since
,made, the edifice, surmounted with oriental min-
arets, reaches a total cost of $20,500. The first
rabbi regularly employed after the organization
was Rev. J. Bloch, who took charge of the congre-
gation in 1868, and four years later was succeeded
by Rev. M. Fleugel, of Quincy, 111. Rev. M.
Greenblatt, of Shreveport, La., followed him in
1876, and his successors have been Dr. Ruben-
stein, and Dr. Baker, the present rabbi. The par-
sonage was erected in 1878, and the society, under
the sitccessive presidencies of Messrs. D. Asch-
afFenburg, G. Meyer, Jacob Bloom, Sr. , Joseph
Altheimer and Charles Weil, has prospered, and
now numbers forty-eight male members. Their
choir is one of the best in the State.
The colored churches have sprung up since the
war with a rapidity almost tropical in its lux-
uriance. The denominations represented are the
Missionary Baptists, Primitive Baptists, African
Methodist Episcopal Church, Methodist Episcopal
Church, and Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in
America. The Baptists are offshoots of the white
churches, the African is an independently formed
body, while the last two were divisions of the
Northern and Southern branches of Methodists,
respectively. The Methodist divisions were made
more recently than the Baptists.
The Missionary Baptist Churches (colored) of
the county have sprung up from time to time,
ever since the first independent organization in
1869, and even before the war services were held
regularly, though unorganized. What was known
as McGuire's church, at Pine BlufF, has been in ex-
istence since before the war. ' The churches of the
county belong to St. Marion Baptist Association,
which was organized in 1868, and of which Rev.
George Robinson, of Pine BlufP, is an aged and well
j known moderator. They have over fifteen churches
in the county, with a membership of probably
2,700. Tbe largest churches are St. Paul's, Tay-
lor's Chapel, Auburn, Cherry Hill, Hurricane and
Lake Side. Their property is estimated at $11,000.
The first church organized was St. Paul's, at Pine
Bluff, in 1869, now the largest in the county.
j The African Methodist Episcopal Churches of
I the county were first begun at the time that body
organized, and are now a part of South Arkansas
Conference, which was organized in 1875, and of
Pine Bluff district, which embraces twelve circuits,
with a membership of over 1,000, and with pro-
perty valued at about $15,000. The largest cir-
cuits are Swan Lake, Round Lake and Bartholo-
mew, while Pine Bluff station is the most extensive.
The Methodist Episcopal Churches (colored)
j are of the Northern branch, and separated from
the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Those
in JefPerson County belong to Little Rock Confer
ence, which was organized in 1879, and only in-
cludes about a half dozen appointments in the
county, of which Pine Bluff is the largest, with a
membership of less than 200, and a brick church
valued at $4,000.
The Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in
America is a recent separation of the colored mem-
bers of the Southern branch of the Methodist
Church from that body. Comparatively little has
been done so far.
The Young Men's Christian Association of Pine
Bluff was organized in 1889, and now have a fine
hall in course of erection, which will be equal to
any in the State, and is the gift of Mr. Joseph
Merrill.
Other religious and moral movements have been
much the same here as elsewhere.
The first officers of this county serving from
1830 to 1832 were W. P. Hackett, judge; J. T.
Pullen, clerk; Creed Taylor, sheriff; Peter Ger-
man, coroner; and N. Holland, surveyor. The
following include all county officers from date of
organization, with terms of service:
Judges: W. P. Hackett, 1830-32; Samuel C.
Roane, 1832-33; Creed Taylor, 1833-35; H.Brad-
ford, 1835-36; Creed Taylor, 1836-88; W. H.
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
147
Lindsay, 1838-40; William Phillips. 1840-46; J.
W. Boca>?e, 1846-48; James Scull, 1848-52; M.
C. Hudson, 1852-54; N. D. Englisb. 1854-56; A.
J. Stepliens, 1856-58; Z. Wells, 1858-60; I. Hol-
comb, 1860-62; Z. Wells, 1862-64; L. S. Reed.
1864-66; D. W. Carroll. 1866-68; D. Cunning-
ham, 1868-72, with J. M. C. Barton. judu;e of crim-
inal court; C. H. Rice, 1874-76; Frank Silverman,
1876-78; W. D. Johnson. 1878-84; G. W. Prig-
more. 1884-86; J. W. Owens. 1886 to present.
Clerks: J. T. Pullen. 1830-38; E. H. Roane,
1838-42; R. W. Walker. 1842-44; T. S. James,
1844-50; D. B. McLaughlin. 1850-58; John De-
Baun, 1858-64; D. C. White. 1864-66; W. P.
Stephens, 1866-68; D. C. White, 1868-72; R. H.
Stanford. 1872-74; R. A. Dawson, 1874-76; Paul
Jacko. 1876-78; A. Niven, 1878-84: N. T. Roberts.
1884 to present. The circuit clerks have been: G.
W. Prigmore, 1868-80; A. S. Moon, 1880-82, and
F. Havis, 1882 to the jwesent.
Sheriffs: Creed Taylor, 1830-32; William Kin-
kead, 1832-35; S. Dardenne, 1835-40; J. J. Ham-
mett. 1840-52; P. F. Morton, 1852-56; J. G.
White. 1856-58; M. E. Hudson, 1858-60; A. F.
Kendal], 1860-64; C. M. Bagg, 1864-68; J. F.
Vaughan, 1868-76; J. M. Clayton, 1876-86; G.
W. Prigmore. 1886-88; Frank Silverman, 1888,
present incumbent.
Treasurers— Samuel Taylor, 1836-48; William
Wright, 1848-58; B. F. Ingram, 1858-62; P. G.
Henry, 1862-64; J. H. Hawley, 1864-66; B. F.
Hancock, 1866-68; H. H. Kenyon, 1868-76; A. S.
Moon, 1876-78; H. A. McCoy, 1878-82; O. P.
Snyder, 1882-November 29. 1882; J. B. Truelock,
November 29, 1882, to December 23, 1882; R. G.
Austin, 1882-84; J. C. Battles, 1884-86; T. M.
Phillips, 1886-88; C. H. Triplett, 1888 to the
present time.
Coroners: Peter German, 1830-32; ,
1832-33; Thomas O'Neal, 1833-36; J. H. Cald-
well, 1836-38; Thomas O'Neal, 1838-40; J. Lin-
berner, 1840-42; J. Brump, 1842-44; M. C. Wood-
worth, 1844-46; Martin Snyder, 1846-48; G. H.
Walker, 1848-50; A. C. Randolph, 1850-54; T.
C. Johnson, 1854-56; A. C. Randolph, 1856-58;
Wiley Clayton, 1858-66; J. M. Mitchell, 1866-68;
E. E. Forbish, 1868-72; Ed. Price, 1872-76; J.
T. Murray, 1876-78; L. Shields, 1878-82; L. B.
Boston, 1882-86; M. C. Boyd, 1886-88; L. B.
Boston, 1888 to present.
Surveyors: N. Holland, 1830-33; H. Edding-
ton. 1833-36; Thomas O'Neal, 1836-38; J. B.
Outlaw, 1838-42; R. E. C. Daugherty, 1842-46;
J. Brump, 1846-50; T. J. Ingraham, 1850-52; P.
Simpson, 1852-58; J. Brump. 1858-62; John J.
Martin, 1862-64; H. Seckendoff, 1864-66: John
J. Martin, 1866 to present.
Assessors: A. E. Beardsley, 1868-72; F.
Havis, 1872-74; John Ellis, 1874-76; R. Motlej',
1876-78; D. F. Ragan, 1878-80; T. M. Phillips,
1880-82; M. Curry, 1882-84; T. B. Blackwell,
1884-86; B. E. Benton. 1886-88; T. B Blackwell,
1888 to present.
Councilmen and Senators: W. P. Hackett in
1831; J. H. Caldwell in 1833; not known in 1835;
S. C. Roane in 1838 (Senate); J. Smith in second
session of same year, and also in 1840; J. Yell in
1842-43, and 1844-45; R. C. Byrd in 1846, and
in 1848-49; N. B. Burrow in 1851 and 1853; A.
H. Ferguson in 1855 and 1857; Thomas Fletcher
in 1859, the special sessions of 1860-61, and in
1862 when he was president and acting Governor;
I. C. Mills in lS64-()5; Thomas Fletcher in 1864
in the Confederate legislature at Washington, Ark.,
of which he was also president; W. M. Galloway
in 1867; S. W. Mallory and O. P. Snyder in
1868-69, and in 1871; J. M. Clayton and R. A.
Dawson in 1873 and in the Gov. Baxter ses-
sion of 1874; George Haycock in 1874-75, and in
1877; H. King White in 1879: N. T. White in
1881 and 1883; J. M. Hudson in 1855 and 1887;
J. W. Crawford in 1889.
Representatives: N. Holland in 1831; I. Bogy
in 1833; not known in 1835; W. Phillips in 1838;
not known in 1838; M. W. Dorris in 1840; John
S. Roane in 1842-43; M. W. Dorris in 1844-45;
Jordan N. Embree in 1846; Ambrose Hudgens in
1848-49; T. S. James in 1851; A. D. Horsley in
1853; George C. Tuley in 1855; Thomas F. James
in 1857; Jordan N. Embree in 1859; F. F. Yell
and James A. Hudson in the sessions of 1860-61 ;
W. Williams and N. B. English in 1862; H. B.
148
HISTOEY OF ARKANSAS.
Allis (speaker) and D. C. Hardeman in 1864 and
1865; W. Williams and W. H. Connelly in the Con-
federate legislature: Reed Fletcher and Witt Will-
iamson, Jr., in 1857; P. Mosely, H. St. John, J.
M. Gray, J. J. Williams, G. W. Davis, and Will-
iam T. Morrow, for Jefferson, and Bradley, in 1869;
William Young, (i. W. Prigmore, J. M. Clayton,
R. S. Parker, E. G. Hale and Carl Pope, for Jeffer-
son, Bradley and Grant, in 1871; A. E. Beardsley,
A. J. Wheat, W. Murphy, Ferd Havis, V. M.
Gehee and J. M. Merrett, for JefPerson and three
other counties, in 1873; B. McGuire, C. C. John-
son, W. W. Hughey, and A. J. Wheat, for JefPer-
son and three other counties, in 1874; L.B. Boston,
L. J. Maxwell and Ned Hill in 1874-75; C. H.
Rice, Anderson Ebberson and William Murphy in
1877; J. A. Hudson, R. A. Dawson and W. C.
Payne in 1879; Carl Polk, ^Y. C. Payne and A.
Ebberson in 1881; B. Waterhouse, W. H. Young
and R. Sherrill in 1883; W. B. Jacko, Ed. Glover
and S. H. Scott in 1885; Ed. JefPerson, H. B.
Burton and W. B. Jacko in 1887; S. S. Wool-
fork, Ed. Jefferson, S. W. Dawson in 1889.
Constitutional Delegates: Samuel C. Roane in
1836; J. Yell and W. P. Grace in 1861; H. B.
Allis, Peter Finnerty and Thomas W. Clegg, Jr.,
in 1864; S. W. Mallory, O. P. Snyder, James M.
Gray and William Murphy in 1868; and J. A.
Williams, W. Murphy and Cyrus Berry in 1874.
Robert R. Adams has been intimately and prom-
inently identilied with the interests of JefPer-
son County for a period of time sufficiently long to
have acquired extensive acquaintance. He is a
native of Twiggs County, Ga., being a son of
Donald Adams, who was born in South Carolina,
November 23, 1801, but who removed to Georgia
in 1824, where he married Miss Elizabeth Ellis.
The latter first saw the light of day in Georgia in
1807, and there Robert was born February 26,
1842. Mrs. Adams died in her native State in
1883, her husband having preceded her about
three years. In this family were nine children,
four of whom are now living. Young Robert
received his education in private schools, and on
the breaking out of the war entered the army in
1861. under 'Col. Anderson, in Company K,
Eleventh Georgia Regiment. He participated in
the battles of Second Manassas, Thoroughfare
Gap, Richmond, Y'orktown, and several others,
being finally honorably discharged, and he has
now in his possession his discharge and furlough
papers and numerous others, mementoes of an
experience severe but honorable. In 1875 he
came to Little Rock, where he became engaged as
a planter. His possessions have increased most
perceptibly, until, besides owning valuable prop-
erty in Hutchinson, Kas. , he has about 700 acres
in JefPerson County, Ark. , in cotton and corn. He
is a Mason in good standing, and also belongs to
the American Legion of Honor and Royal Arcanum.
He is a Democrat, and a man of great public
enterprise, keeping thoroughly apace with the
progress of the day. Since 1879 he has kept a
diary of passing events, in which he takes great
pride. October 8, 1863, Mr. Adams married Miss
Rebecca Perry, of Haynesville, Houston County,
Ga. They have two children, Virginia E. (born
October 1. 1864) and Mattie Joe (born April 5.
1866).
Rev. I. O. Adams, rector of the Episcopal
Church at Pine Bluff, and a man whose character
and influence are above criticism, is a native of
Alabama, having been born in Mobile in 1852.
James I. Adams, his father, was of Richmond,
Va. , nativity, and a merchant in Mobile, who died
at the age of thirty-five in 1855. The latter' s
wife was Henrietta C. Bickley, of Mobile, Ala.,
daughter of Dr. Walter O. Bickley, a man of
some prominence in that State. Samuel J. Adams,
grandfather of the siibject of this sketch, of Eng-
land, married a daughter of Judge Innes. of
Frankfort, Ky.. whose family were widely known
and influential in Scotland; they were early settlers
in this country, and served in the Revolutionary
War. James I. Adams was the youngest of a
family of seven children, and was reared in Vir-
ginia till the age of seventeen, when he went to
Alabama. His son, I. O., grew to manhood in
that State, and thei'e attended school. He took a
literary course at the University of the South, in
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
149
Sewanee, Teun.. graduating in 1S73, after which
be studied theology, and in 1875 was ordained, in
1878 taking priest orders. In 1883 he came to
Arkansas, and for throe years was rector of St.
John's Church at Camden. He then came to Pine
Bluff, and has since been in charge at Trinity
Church. He has been called upon to act in vari-
ous otlicial capacities, having served as a delegate
to the general convention six years, trustee of the
University of the South six years, and president of
the standing committee of the diocese of Arkansas
six years, which office he still holds. The first
four years of his ministry were passed in Texas, at
Matagorda, where May 5, 1878, he was married to
Miss Annie Barbour, who was born in 1857, and
the daughter of William D. and Mary E. (Williams)
Barbour. Mr. Barbour served in the Mexican
War, edited a paper in Kentucky for several years,
and finally moved to Texas, where he lived till his
death, having held the offices of assessor and col-
lector. He was a lawyer by profession. Mrs.
Adams" mother died when she was born. To our
subject and wife have been born Harry Thornton,
May Brunson, Ethel Barbour, James Innes (de-
ceased), and Mary Evelyn (deceased). Mrs. Adams
is an active worker in the church, and a substan-
tial and worthy aid to her husband in his efforts.
Mr. Adams is a member of the A. F. & A. M.,
having taken all the degrees; is a Royal Arch
Mason, a Knight Templar, and High Priest and
Prophet of the Mystic Shrine, a member of the
I. O. O. F., and secretary of the Royal Arcanum,
belonging also to the Legion of Honor and the
Knights of Honor. He is well known, and with
his family enjoys universal respect and esteem,
Altheimer Bros, are members of one of the old-
est and most influential business houses in Pine
BlufP. The firm is composed of Joseph, born in
1842, and Louis, born in 1847, at Eberstadt,
near Darmstadt, South Germany, who were the
sons of Benjamin and Mina Altheimer, natives of
the same country. Louis left home in his boyhood
and came to America, settling in the far West, and
Joseph followed three years later. In 1868 they
both left the western country, and settled in Pine
Bluff, where they founded the mercantile house of
Altheimer Bros., which is now the oldest firm un-
der the name in the city. Pine Bluff, as well as
the whole of Jefferson County, at that time was
known only to the outside world as the backwoods,
but the brothers being far-sighted men, and having
the fullest confidence in its future prosperity, in-
vested every dollar in real estate and plantation
lands. They opened up the land out of the forests,
cut immense ditches to drain the water off, and
converted many swamps into productive and bloom-
ing farms, contributing alike to their own wealth
and to the value of the surrounding country. They
are also the founders of the young and growing
town of Altheimer, which the St. Louis, Arkansas
& Texas Railroad named in their honor. This
town is situated eleven miles northeast of Pine
Bluff', located in the heart of the most fertile land
in Arkansas, and whenever the country tributary
to Altheimer becomes more open and settled, its
future is assured, as it is on the main line of the
Cotton Belt, and is also the terminal point of
the Little Rock & Eastern Railroad. The build-
ing of this branch road is due to the efforts of
Messrs. Altheimer Bros., who not only called it
into life, but contributed very liberally to its con-
struction. They erected a depot and donated all
necessary grounds for side tracks, and also re-
served ten miles of right of way free of charge to
the company. The first house in Altheimer was
built in the fall of 1885. Some years after be-
coming established in Pine Bluff, Joseph Altheimer
returned to Germany on a visit, and while there
was married to Miss Matilda Josaphat, by whom
he has had two children, Benjamin J. (born in 1877),
and a daughter named Hennie (born in 1880).
Louis also went to Germany, and while in Frank-
fcft't-on-the Main was married to Miss Inlia Siiss-
holz, to which union were born Ulysses (in 1869),
Maurice (in 1872), Fennie (in 1874), Blanche (in
1876), Beno (in 1878), Isaac (in 1880) and Hor-
tense in 1883. Both of the brothers are among
the leading men in commercial circles, and held in
high esteem by the entire community. Mr. Louis
Altheimer was nominated by the Republican party
in 1886 as treasurer of the State, but was defeated
by his Democrat opj^onent, Mr. William Woodi'utt'.
150
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
W. D. Anthony, merchant at Humphrey, Ark.,
has been long and favorably identified with the
social and business life of JefPerson County, and
is one of its most enterprising citizens. Aside
from his mercantile pursuits, at which he has been
very successful, he is the owner of about 1,000
acres of land, with twenty acres under cultiva-
tion. He was born in St. Charles County, Mo.,
on January 6, 1835, and is the son of P. L
Anthony, whose birth occurred in Richmond, Va.,
in 1810. His father was educated in his native
State, and in 1832 moved to Missouri, where he
met and married Miss Olive Boone the same year.
She was a Kentuckian by birth, and her marriage
resulted in the birth of three children, two sons
and one daughter, W. D. Anthony being the only
one now living. The father followed farming, and
in connection kept hotel, running the Anthony
Hotel (from whom it took its name) at Little Rock
for some years. He died at Lonoke, Ark., in
1879. W. D. Anthony was educated near Browns-
ville, Tenn., and was there wedded to Miss Eliza
beth Crist, a native of North Carolina, and the
daughter of Rudolph and Miranda Crist. To Mr.
and Mrs. Anthony were born three children, one
son and two daughters, all living; two residing in
this county and one in Noith Carolina. The
mother of these children died March 15, 1874, and
Mr. Anthony took for his second wife Miss Bettie
Montgomery, whom he wedded on May 28, 1885.
Her death occurred on March 8, 1888, and Mr,
Anthony then married Mrs. Maggie Graham.
June 20, 1888. She was the daughter of David
and Mary Wood. Mr. Anthony keeps a good
stock of general merchandise and has a thriv-
ing trade. He is the postmaster at Humphrey,
having filled that position for about five years,
and also held the position of county surveyor
for about two years of 'Lonoke County, Ark.,
where he formerly lived. In 1861 he enlisted
under Gen. Ben McCullough. and his first hard
fight was at "Wilson's Creek. He was wounded in
the right breast and was discharged at Jackson-
port, Ark., in 1865. After returning home he
worked on a railroad for some time, as bridge car-
penter. Mrs. Anthony is a Methodi.st.
D. AschafPenburg, city clerk and justice of the
peace. Pine Bluff, Ark. This prominent and
much respected citizen was born in Albersweiler,
Rhine Bavaria, Germany, on September 27, 1831,
and is one of twelve children, nine now living,
born to the union of Henry and Nanett (Meyer)
Aschaffenbnrg, natives of Germany. The father
was a Jewish minister and followed his professional
duties until his death in 1870. The mother died
in her native country nine years later. Of their
nine children now living, three sons and one
daughter are in America, and two sons and three
daughters are in Germany. D. Aschafi'enburg at-
tained his growth and received his education in
the land of his nativity, and when nineteen years
of age left that country and sailed for America,
taking passage at the city of Havre. He landed
in New Orleans, remained there for a short time,
and in 1852 went to Jackson, Miss., where he was
engaged in teaching music, but soon after was
made deputy clerk of the United States circuit
court. In October, 1854, he came to Pine Bluff,
Ark., remaining there until 1855, when he went
to Cincinnati, Ohio, and there kept books for a
wholesale liquor house until 1860. He again re-
turned to Arkansas and stopped at Napoleon until
'April, 1802, after which he came to Pine Blufi'
with the post quartermaster and remained there
as chief clerk for the quartermaster's department
until after the close of the war. For a time after
the cessation of hostilities he was occupied in mer-
chandising, and this continued until November,
1869, when he was appointed justice of the peace
of Jefferson County, having since held the office
with a short intermission. In 1871 he was elected
city clerk, the duties of which position he has con-
tinued to discharge. He is also United States
commissioner for the district of Arkansas, and is
one of the representative men of the county. Mr.
Aschafi'enburg was married in 1857 to Miss Han-
nah Sommers, by whom he has six children:
Fannie (wife of Emit Meyer), Lena (wife of Phil
Simmons), Theresa, Rosa, Victor and Harry. Mr.
Aschafi'enburg is a member of the Masonic fra-
ternity. Independent Order of B'nai Brith, and the
Improved Order of Free Sons of Israel.
M. A. Austin, attorney at law, and an intlnen-
tial and esteemed resident of Pine Blutf. is a native
of Monroe, N. C, and was born August 12,
ISfjO. He was the son of R. G. R. and Nannie
(Crowell) Austin, both natives of North Carolina,
who in 1867 emigrated to Drew County, Ark.,
where they located and remained until 1873, then
moving to Pine Bluff. The father is still a resi-
dent of that place. He has been a farmer most of
his life, and has been treasurer of Jefferson Coun-
ty one term. M. A. Austin was reared in Arkan-
sas, part of his time being spent on the farm and
also in the city. He entered St. John's College
at Little Rock, and in 1874, when the Brooks-Bax-
ter war broke out he left, and entered Emery and
Henry College, at Emery, Va. , where he grad-
uated in 1877. He then came home and began
the study of law, under Carlton and McCain, and
was admitted to the bar in 1879. Entering at
once upon a siiccessful practice, he has since lo-
cated in Pine Bluff, becoming well and favorably
known as a member of the bar only less than as
a citizen. Mr. Austin's iirst partner was A. W.
Boyd. Two years later this relation was dissolved,
when Mr. Austin entered into partnership with W.
E. Hemingway. They afterwards took in John M.
Clayton, who was recently assassinated, and Mr.
Hemingway being elected to the bench, Judge
"Williams entered as a partner, which firm now
continues under the name of Williams & Austin.
Mr. Austin was city attorney for two terms. He is
also attorney for the Merchants and Planters Bank;
the Missouri Paeitic Railroad; Pine Bluff, Swan
Lake & Monroe Railroad; and Pine Bluff' Build-
ing Loan Association. He has had several oppor-
tunities to hold oiiice, but never desired to identify
himself politically with public position. In 1882
he was married to Miss Mattie Keeler, at Oswego,
Kas. , by whom he has had two children, one
now living, named Bettie. Mrs. Austin is a mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Joseph H. Baldwin is one of the most prom-
inent figures in social and business circles in Jef-
ferson County. He was born in what was then
Cass County, Ga. , on May 25, 1842, and is a
son of Joseph M. and Harriet E. (Edmondson)
Baldwin, of Virginia and Georgia, respectively.
The father moved from his native State to Georgia
when a young man, and was there married, and
resided for a number of years near Greensboro.
He afterward moved to what is now Bartow Coun-
ty, in the same State, and from there to Cher-
okee County, Ala., some years later, where he died
in 1853. The mother is yet living in Floyd Coun-
ty, Ga. , with several of her children, at the age of
sixty-five years. Both parents were members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and in
politics the father was a Democrat. He served
through the Florida War against the Seminole In-
dians, and during the Mexican War he volunteered
and went as far as New Orleans for the purpose of
fighting, but the war was over, and he was never
mustered out. He was a general mechanic and a
genius at wood carving, being able to take an or-
dinary piece of wood and turn out anything from
a chicken coop to a steamboat, in proportion to the
size of the wood. He built several fine vessels
during his life, and amassed a considerable for-
tune, but unluckily he ventured into steamboating
himself, and his wealth was swept away entirely.
He was also interested in farming to some extent.
His parents were English people, who settled in
Virginia at an early period. Seven children were
born to their marriage, of whom five are now liv-
ing: James M. (a well-known farmer in Cherokee
County, Ala.). Elizabeth (widow of William Miller,
residing in Floyd County, Ga. ), Julia Ann (wife
of Martin Ingram, of the same county), Mary
C, and Rebecca (wife of Elijah Morris, of Floyd
County, Ga.), and Joseph H. The latter was
reared and educated in Cherokee County, Ala. ,
and left his home in September, 1801, to join the
Confederate army. He enlisted in Company I, of
the Ninteenth Alabama Infantry, and served until
May 16, 1864, when he was captured and taken
prisoner at Resaca, Ga. On April 14 of the
same year, he was released after a cruel confine-
ment, in which he was almost starved, and was
forced to enter the Union ranks. Later on, his
company was sent out West, where they were en-
gaged in fighting the Indians until November,
1866, when he was mustered out at Fort Leaven-
152
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
worth, Kas. While in the Confederate army, he
took part in a number of battles, the most imj)ort-
ant being at Shiloh, Missionary Ridge, Resaca
and Murfreesboro, being severely wounded at the
latter place by a gun shot in the right hip. Mr.
Baldwin served with distinction, both in the Con-
federate and Union armies, and has the honor of
knowing that though he was pressed into the Union
service afterward, he never fought against his for-
mer comrades, his duties being performed on the
Western plains. During his term of imprisonment,
he was held at Alton, 111., and also at Camp
Douglas, in Chicago. 111. After the war was
over he returned to Alabama, and remained in that
State until the fall of 1868, when he came to Ar-
kansas and settled in Jefferson County, which he
has made his home ever since. In 1867 he was
married to Miss Mary M. King, of Cherokee Coun-
ty, Ala., who was born in 1849, and died on De-
cember 16, 1874. Three children were born to
this union, of whom two are still living: Charles
W. (a farmer in Grant County, Ark.), and James
W. (who resides at home). The one deceased is
Cornelia H., who died in third year. On June
17, 1875, he was married to Miss Nancy A. Eick-
etts, a daughter of Stephen Ricketts, of Marshall
County, Ala., where she was born in 1847. This
wife died in Jeiferson County, Ark., in 1883, hav-
ing given birth to five children, of whom two are
yet living: Joseph B. and Enoch M. , both resid-
ing at home. Those deceased are Henry, Jacob and
Lewis. March 6, 1884, he was married to Mrs.
Anna Russell, a daughter of Reuben Short, his
third wife having been born in Mississij)pi in 1853.
Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin are both members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and the for-
mer is a trustee of Bethlehem church. He has
been a Mason for a number of years, and is one of
the most j)rominent politicians in that section, giv-
ing his support to the Democratic party.
John M. Barrett, oae of the most prominent
merchants in Jefferson County, located at Sher-
rill Station, was born on the farm where he is at
present residing on the 12th of June, 1855, and is
a son of William C. and Ara Saphronia (Harris)
Barrett, natives of Mississippi and Arkansas, re-
spectively. The father came from his native Slate
to Arkansas when the country around Jefferson
County was one irnbroken forest and its only in-
habitants savage beasts, and for several years after
local ing here he was able to shoot game from the
door of his house. He was a farmer all his life,
and a prominent Mason, and became very success-
ful later on when the country was more thickly
settled, owning before the war about 800 acres
of very fertile land and thirty- five slaves. His
possessions were almost entirely swept away dur-
ing the war, and his family had to again commence
the bitter struggle against misfortune. His death
occurred in 1855, and after his decease the mother
was married to Dr. Sherrill, a noted physician of
Jefferson County. The elder Barrett and his wife
were the parents of two children, John M. and
Elizabeth, the latter dying in 1856 when quite
young. John M. received a liberal education at
Jackson, Tenu. , and in Jefferson County. Upon
reaching his maturity he commenced farming for
himself, and for three years continued in that call-
ing without any apparent success, owing to his in-
experience, but at the end of that time fortune
smiled upon him in a bright manner and success
began to attend his efforts. He now owns some
600 acres of valuable land, and Sherrill Station is
situated upon part of it, he donating the right of
way. Mr. Barrett has also embarked in general
merchandising at Sherrill Station, meeting with
fair success in that business. On February 18,
1881, he was married to Miss Ada E. Quattlebaum,
of South Carolina, by whom he had three children,
Henry R., John M. and Eugene C. Mrs. Bar-
rett is an earnest Christian worker and a member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mr.
Barrett is a conservative Democrat in politics and
a valuable ally to that party. His interest is deeply
centered in educational matters, and it is one of his
greatest pleasures to give his assistance to any
enterprise for the promotion of schools. His
efforts towards advancing the industries and agri-
cultural interests of Jefferson County have won the
approval and admiration of his fellow citizens, and
he is held in high respect by the entire community.
William J. Bayliss, one of the best known of
'U;/U
pine buu ff.
Jefferson County, Abkansas.
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
155
the pioneer citizens of Jefferson County, was
born near his present residence January 6, 1844,
and is a son of William J. and Annie E. (Wat-
ers) Bayliss, of Tennessee, the father dying in
that county in the same year of his son's birth, at
the age of thirty-five years. The parents were
married in Tennessee and moved to Arkansas when
the latter State was still a Territory, and inhabited
by the Indians and a few French settlers. The
elder Bayliss was a farmer and cultivated the land
until his death in 1844. His widow was afterward
married to Mr. Robert Alcoin, a farmer, who died
in 1861. The lady is still living, and is a devout
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bay-
liss, of whom five are now alive: Sallie (wife of
Capt. Sam. Lindsay, a prominent merchant of Jef-
ferson County), Anna (widow of Moses Emery),
Louisa (wife of Mr. Hawkins, an enterprising
merchant at Dardanelle), James E. (a well-known
farmer and merchant in Lonoke County), and
William J. (the latter the youngest of the family).
William was educated in the schools of his native
county, and had scarcely finished his studies when
he shouldered a gun and marched in the Con-
federate ranks to war. He enlisted in Capt.
Davis' company of cavalry, in Col. Monroe's
regiment, serving until his discharge in 1863 on
account of disability. On his return home he
found that it would be unsafe to remain, and he
again joined the Confederate service, becoming a
member of Capt. Greenfield's company, and served
with distinction until Lee's surrender. Mr. Bay-
liss was never wounded in battle, but has had some
narrow escapes fjom death. At one time a bullet
passed through his canteen, and on another occasion
his horse was shot from under him. After the
war was over he found that he had been stripped
of everything he possessed and was without a dol-
lar in the world. However, he went to work with
a vim and energy that have since been crowned with
success, and he is now a prosperous and leading
farmer of Jefferson County. On October 6, 1869,
he was married to Miss Eliza A. Lindsey, a native
of this county and a daughter of John R. Lindsey,
but this lady died on June 22, 1875, at the age
of twenty-five years. Four children were born to
this union, all of whom are yet living: Emma
(wife of Joseph Foster, a farmer of Jefferson
County), and Willie T., Minnie L. and Lind-
sey E. (who are at home). Mrs. Bayliss was a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a
devout Christian lady. A great deal of her hus-
band's success during her life was dtie to her sound
advice and clear-sightedness, and her death was
sincerely regretted by all. In 1875 Mr. Bayliss was
married to Miss Ellen S. Cooper, a daughter of L.
C. Cooper, of North Carolina, by whom he had two
children: Walter J. and Clyde A. Mrs. Bayliss
was born in Mississippi on the 12th of July, 1852.
Both husband and wife are members of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, South, and take a deep in-
terest in the religious and educational welfare of
their county. Mr. Bayliss is a Democrat and has
proven to be a valuable man to that party in his
section.
Col. M. L. Bell, attorney. Pine Bluff, Ark.
The profession of law is, perhaps, as momentous
and important a calling as can be found, and he
who takes upon himself legal practice assumes as
weighty responsibilities as the confidence of his
fellow men can put upon his shoulders. It is a
branch of human endeavor which brings into play
the most brilliant talents, the most extensive knowl-
edge, the strongest sentiments, moral, spiritual,
material, and its power for good or evil is vast and
invincible. As a lawyer whose honor is above criti-
cism, whose ability places him in the front rank,
and whose name is known and respected through-
out the State, that of Col. M. L. Bell shines as a
star of the first magnitude in the firmament of Ar-
kansas law. He was originally from Wilson Coun-
ty, Tenn , where his birth occurred on July 27,
1829, and is the son of Robert D. and Elizabeth
C. (Roane) Bell, the father a native of Mecklen-
burg Coimty, N. C. , and the mother of Wilson
County, Tenn. The Roane family were of Irish
origin, and early settlers of North Carolina, Rowan
County of that State being named in their honor.
There were two brothers, Archibald and Hugh
Roane, who were born in Virginia. Archibald was
the second Governor of Tennessee, and Hugh is
156
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
the maternal grandfather of the subject of this
sketch. He was a prominent agriculturist, and died
in Nashville, Tenn., as did also Archibald. Robert
D. Bell was a successful tiller of the soil, and this
occupation he carried on all his life, having died
when only forty-eight years of age. The mother died
in 1846. Their family consisted of nine children,
five of whom are now living: Marcus L., Harriet
(wife of Dr. J. G. Bridges, of New Middleton,
Tenn), Mrs. Sophronia Penick (resides in Ala-
bama), Mrs. Mary B. Nelson (widow, residing in
Pine BlufF), and John S. Bell (of Pine Bluff, Ark^ ).
Col. M. L. Bell became familiar with the details of
farm life in early boyhood, assisting also in culti-
vating tobacco, and received his education in the
Cumberland University, of Lebanon, Tenn. While
attending school the death of his father compelled
him to abandon his studies. In 1849 he came to
Little Rock, Ark., entered the office of Gov. John
S. Roane, then Governor, and an uncle of his,
and was the Governor's private secretary for four
years. At the same time he studied law under E.
H. English, a distinguished lawyer, and for sev-
eral years chief justice of the State. In 1852 he
was licensed to practice, and in April of the follow-
ing year he located at Pine BlufF, where he has
been in practice ever since. He is now a member
of the firm of Bell & Bridges. In 1862 he enlisted
and was appointed captain in the adjutant-general's
office, served under Gen. Hindman, and was trans-
ferred to Texas under Maj.-Gen. Sam. B. Maxey,
where he served as chief of staff until the close of
the war. He was first married in 1852, to Miss
Juliet Roane, who died in 1877, and in 1878 he
married Mrs. Ellen Lee, by whom he has three
children: Marcus L,, Jr., Robert D. and Charles
N. Col. and Mrs. Bell are members of the Epis-
copal Church, and Col. Bell has been superintend-
ent of the Sunday-school for ten years. He is a
member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the
Commandery, and is also a member of the K. of
P. He owns 1,500 acres of land, with 600 acres
under cultivation, and has considerable town prop-
erty. He was for some years engaged in milling
under the firm title of Bell & Bocage, and also in
the foundry business. He has been a Democrat all
his life, was elector for the State on the Tilden
ticket in 1876, has been a delegate to all the State
conventions, and is one of the most prominent
lawyers in the State. He was attorney for the
Little Rock, Mississippi River & Texas Railroad.
He lost very extensively during the late war, and
since by fire, but still has a good fortune. Col.
Bell is a self-made man, and has won a name that
will linger in the hearts of the people for many
years to come.
Thomas P. Blackwell, assessor of the county,
and one of its successful farmers and planters, is a
native of Georgia, having been born in Elbert
County, November 17, 1825. His father, Hon. Jo-
seph Blackwell, was a farmer by occupation, and
served several terms in the State legislature, both
in the lower house and senate. He participated in
the Indian War in 1815, as lieutenant, and died in
1851 in his native county. His wife was Eliza-
beth McGhee, of the same county as himself; her
death occurred in 1868 or 1869. They were both
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In
their family were seventeen children, only six
of whom are now living. Thomas P., the sixth
of this number, lived at home with his parents
till his father's death, and, in 1852, he married
Miss Zabiah Pruitt, of Franklin, Ga. There he
located, following his marriage, and remained
till January 18, 1858,. when with his family he
moved to Arkansas. Mrs. Blackwell having died
in 1855, leaving one child, Robert, he subsequently
married Miss Kesiah Bond, of Franklin County,
Ga. She died in Arkansas in 1868, there hav-
ing been by this marriage three children: Ade-
lizza (wife of B. A. Dockery, of Dallas, Texas),
Anna (wife of B. P. Julian, of Pine' Bluff), and
Nicholas T. (in the newspaper business in Dallas,
Texas). In l870 Mr. Blackwell married his pres-
ent wife, Mrs. Ada Logan, nee Griffin, of Tennes-
see, who has borne him three children: Mary,
George and Lucy, all at home. On coming to
Arkansas, Mr. Blackwell located in what is now
Cleveland County, on a farm which was partly cul-
tivated. After remaining till 1873 he removed to
his present home, a place well under cultivation,
and devoted to the raising of cattle, corn and cot-
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
157
ton, for which it seems peculiarly adapted. In
January. 1S6'2, he enlisted in the Confederate
army in Company C, Ninth Arkansas Regiment,
and served for eight months, when he was dis-
charged, later entering the Trans-Mississippi
army, which surrendered at Marshall, Texas. Mr.
Blackwell's admirable fitness for the position and
the universal favor with which he has ever been
regarded by the people of this section, led to his
election as county assessor in 1884, and he was made
his own successor in 1888, also assisting Capt. Ben-
ton when he held the office. He has been school
director, in which position he was very active, and
has served as justice of the peace of his township.
He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of which he is
elder. His wife also belongs to that church. Mr.
Blackwell is a faithful public officer, and has
demonstrated his ability to discharge official duties
in a manner above reproach.
Col. Joseph W. Bocage, mayor, Pine Bluff, Ark.
From the biography of every man there may be
gleaned some lessons of genuine worth, for here
are discovered the secret of his success or failure.
In the history of Mr. Bocage, one of the pioneers
of the city, and one of it most prominent men, is
found much to commend. He was born on the
Island of St. Lucia, May 8, 1819, and is the son
of William and Marrie Ann (Lavoisier) Bocage,
the mother a niece of the celebrated French
chemist, Antoine Laurent Lavoisier, who was the
originatoi' of the gasometer and discoverer of oxy-
gen. He was born August 26, 1743, and was guil-
lotined on May 8, 1794, by the revolutionists of
Paris. He was condemned on account of his
wealth, and after sentence was passed, he asked
for three days' respite that he might comjjlete a
fine piece of chemical analysis, but that was denied
him. The paternal grandfather, Joseph Isadore
Bocage, was descended from an illustrious family,
whose estates were in the old province, the Bocage,
now known as the La Vendee, in France. He
came to the United States, in company with others,
in 1795, fleeing from the French Revolution, set-
tling in New London, Conn., where he married
Miss Elizabeth Coit, daughter of Capt. William
Coit, of Revolutionary fame. Some years after his
marriage he went to the Lsle of St. Lucia, where
he purchased a sugar and coffee estate. He also
engaged in mercantile and shipping business,
dealing largely in sugar and coiJee, which business
proved lucrative, and he became very wealthy.
Ho died in 1818. William Bocage, father of the
subject of this sketch, was born in New London,
where he received unusually good educational ad-
vantages, finishing his education at an English
college. He went to St. Lucia, married, and died
there in his twenty- first year, leaving a young
wife and child, the latter then only five months
old and the subject of this sketch. William Bo-
cage was' one of tlfree sons — Joseph, William and
Charles. Josep)h went supercargo of one of his
father's vessels, and died in Boston harbor.
Charles went to France when sixteen years of age,
attended military school, and became a French
officer of prominence. He was killed in the Crim-
ean War, while storming Inkerman heights. The
act of the British Parliament, known as the Wil-
berforce and Chaning act of emancipation, freeing
the slaves, caused the survivors of the family to
come to the United States. Joseph W. Bocage
was then three years of age, and could speak only
the French language. They made their home in
New York City, where the mother died, and was
buried in old Trinity church-yard. His mother,
while on her death-bed, gave her son to a paternal
cousin, Miss Sarah Ann Lillington, of Wilmington,
N. C. , a daughter of Gen. John A. Lillington, of
Revolutionary fame, with whom he remained until
sixteen years of age, attending the best schools dur-
ing that time. The Lillington family were wealthy,
which fact enabled his foster-mother to give him ex-
cellent opportunities for acquiring an education.
Seeing he could expect nothing from his St. Lucia
estate, and knowing he must seek his own fortune,
he decided to venture at once, and at sixteen years
of age he launched out upon the troubled sea of life
— his own pilot — going first to Connecticut, thence
to Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, thence
down the Mississippi to Vicksburg, remaining there
some months. In 1830, and in his eighteenth year,
he landed in Columbia, Chicot County, Ark. , where
]r)8
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
he remained for about a year, and where he be-
gan the study of medicine, but gave it up. and in
the latter part of 1837 he landed in Pine Bluff,
Ark., when there were but eight log houses and
one frame building, erected by one Cassanus, a
Spaniard, and aaother imder course of erection
for a tavern. After a few months' delay here
Mr. Bocage entered the law office of Gen. James
Yell, studied law, and in 1840 was admitted to the
bar. He is now one of two survivors of the
bar of 1840, the other one being the illustrious and
venerable Gen. Albert Pike of Washington City.
Mr. Bocage practiced his profession here for
years, aud was attorney for the State for the
Second judicial district from 1844 to 1849, being
also judge of the county court. He was also school
commissioner of the entire county under the old
law, for four years, and during that time held all
the funds for the county. He held a number of
special commissions and now has in his possession
eleven civil commissions. The excellent manner
in which he discharged his official duties is too
well known to need any additional words of com-
pliment; suffice it to say that no man ever filled
the office in so capable and efficient a manner. On
the breaking out of the Civil War he, in conjunc-
tion with Gen. Thomas Hindman. raised the Second
Arkansas Infantry Regiment. Early in the war
Mr. Bocage was commissioned lieutenant colonel,
and when Col. Hindman was promoted to briga-
dier, Lieut. -Col. Bocage was made colonel, serving
in that capacity the tir.st year of the war. He was
transferred to Texas to build up manufacturing
interests for the Confederacy, and remained there
until the close of the war. He built at Mound
Prairie, in Anderson County, a number of manu-
factories—cotton, wool, shoes, clothing and nearly
all army supplies of like character. The great
difficulty in procuring proper machinery made his
task a trying one. He was courteous and
kind to every one, and is well known and highly
respected throughout Texas. He surrendered to
Gen. Herron at Shreveport, La., in 1865. Re-
turning to his old home at Pine Bluff, he cast
about him to see what next, and finding that his
town has been the scene of a battle and was greatlv
damaged. Col. Bocage decided to go into the
lumber and building business. He formed a part-
nership with Col. M. L. Bell, and actively engaged
in repairing and rebuilding the city, and in connec-
tion with their saw mills and contracting, the firm
erected an immense planing-mill and sash and
door factory, which together with a large lot of
lumber was entirely destroyed by fire on August
23, 1873, without insurance. With wonderful
pluck and energy the firm rebuilt and started the
new works on the 1st of November following the
fire. This business was carried on until 1876.
Col. Bocage has done more to build up Pine Bluff
than any other man. With others he engaged in
the cotton-seed oil business, and also iu the
foundry business, and manufactured steam engines
and cotton presses, carrying on this industry until
the latter part of 1887, when he sold out. He has
been a valuable man of the city, and is respected
and esteemed for his sterling integrity, sober,
sound judgment, broad intelligence and liberal
progressive ideas. In April, 1888, he was elected
mayor of his city by a large majority over his op-
ponent, a man who was believed to be invincible.
On taking his seat, he found much work to be done,
set about to do it with his characteristic energy,
and is now clearing it up as rapidly as possible.
Although in his seventy-first year, Col. Bocage is
remarkably well preserved and bids fair to live
many years. Col. Bocage was married May 2!2,
1840, to Miss Frances S. Lindsay, a daughter of
Mr. William H. Lindsay, of Fairfax County, Va.,
and by her he became the father of thirteen chil-
dren, six of whom are living: Mary Etta (wife of
John M. Smith, and a teacher in the high school
at Pine Bluff), Edward Washington (educated at
Washiogton and Lee University, and an accom-
plished machinist), Frances Irene, Flora Toin-
ette (wife of Willis R. Smith, a fine civil engi-
neer), Charles William (city engineer), and Annie
Reyburn. Col. Bocage is a Royal Arch Mason, one
of the oldest members in the county. He is a
member of the Episcopal Church, of which he is
one of the organizers, having been a vestryman
fi'om the first planting of the church in Pine Bluff.
He has always been a Democrat politically.
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
159
Thomas W. Boisclair, is a native of Rich-
mond County, Ga. , where he was born on Sep-
tember 26, 1829, being the sou of Peter F. Bois-
clair, whose birth occurred in New Jersey in 1796,
and who was educated in Augusta, Ga. The lat-
ter, after growing up, married Miss Maria Wray,
a native of Richmond, Va. , and the fruits of this
union were ten children, six sons and four daugh-
ters, of whom three are now living, two sons and
a daughter. Peter F. Boisclair was a farmer and
miller by occupation and was quite well off. He
owned about 2,600 acres of pine lands near Au-
gusta, Ga. , 800 acres of which were under cultiva-
tion, and he was acknowledged to be an honest,
industrious citizen. He was also very prominent
in the political affairs of the day, having served as
sheriff of the county for twenty years and as
deputy United States marshal for four years. He
was a member of the Masonic lodge and held
some of the principal offices. During the War of
1812 he served as a private until 1815, when he
was discharged and returned home, there entering
upon a clerkiship in a commission house. He
and wife were both church members, he of the
Catholic and she of the Baptist Chui-ch. They
died in 1848 and 1859, respectively. Thomas W.
Boisclair was educated in Augusta, Ga. , receiving
his diploma in 1848, and in 1853 moved to Mis-
sissippi, where he married Miss E. E. Murray
on June 15, 1854. She was also a native of
Georgia, and the daughter of Col. Thomas and
Elizabeth Murray. To Mr. and Mrs. Boisclair
have been born seven children, five sons and two
daughters, but of these only five are now living:
Thomas M., Mitchel D., Maria E., Henry S. (de-
ceased). William W., Mary C. (who died in infancy ),
and Pierre F. Mr. Boisclair moved from Missis-
sippi to Arkansas in 1877, and he, like his father,
is a successful tiller of the soil. He belongs to
the Masonic lodge, in which he has held a mem-
bership since October, 1854. He has discharged
the duties connected with the office of magistrate
and is a much respected citizen. Mrs. Boisclair is
a member of the Baptist Church.
A. Brewster, a prominent brick manufacturer,
and a member of the firm of Brewster & Lefler,
is a native of Giles County, Tenn.. where he was
born in the year 1839. His parents were Thomas
and Mary Brewster, natives of England, who were
married in that country, and came to America at
an early period, first settling in Tennessee. In
1841 they moved to Mississippi and located in
Tishomingo County, but in 1859 again changed
their location to Arkansas and settled in Drew
County, where the father embarked in mercantile
life, and resided for the rest of his days. He was
killed in 1867, accidentally, either by a mule or a
negro, the true facts have never been brought to
light, while the mother died two years previous.
Thirteen children were born to their marriage, of
whom six are yet living: Mrs. Taylor (residing in
Mississippi), Albert, Robert, Alphonse and James
G. A. Brewster, the principal in this sketch, was
reared in Mississippi, and received a limited edu-
cation in the schools of that State, but by self tui-
tion he gained considerable knowledge, which,
added to his own quick perception and natural
shrewdness, made him fully able to cope with the
world in after life. In 1858 he came to Drew
County, Ark., and followed various pursuits until
the Civil War commenced. He then enlisted in
Company F, Ninth Arkansas Infantry, and served
gallantly until the surrender. He received a
wound at the battle of Shiloh, and also at Corinth,
and on July 19, 1864, he was again wounded at
the battle of Peach Tree Creek. The following
day he received a rifle ball in the left thigh, but in
spite of his battered condition kept right on in the
front ranks. After the war was over Mr. Brew-
ster came back to Drew County and resided there
for a short time. He then moved to what is now
Cleveland County, where he farmed and carried
on a general merchandise store until the year 1880,
when he came to Pine Bluff, his present home.
He here established a wholesale and retail grocery
business, in which he continued with success for
some time, and in the spring of 1888 he opened up
a brick yard, now one of the best paying indus-
tries in that section. Mr. Brewster is also largely
interested in the real estate business, and in a
financial sense is one of the most solid men in Pine
Bluff. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
160
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS,
belonging to the Chapter, Commandery and Noble
Mystic Shrine. In 1865 he was married to Miss
Alabama Harper, of Arkansas, by whom he has
had eight children: Lulu, Edgar, Oscar F., Ophe-
lia, Garland H. , Alphonse, Arthur and Cliiford B.
Mr. and Mrs. Brewster are members of the Lake-
side Methodist Episcopal Church, and are liberal
in their aid to all worthy enterprises.
Dr. Samuel G. Browning is one of the enter-
l^rising and deservedly jiopular men of this
county. He is a successful physician, is pro-
prietor of a general store at Macon, and with his
brother and others owns one of the largest saw mills
in the county, turning out about thirty car loads
of pine and hard wood per month. In 1888 the
destruction of one of the mills and a dry house by
fire, entailed a severe loss, the latter having cost
over $2,000 and the mill $4,000; in addition to
which 12,000 worth of lumber was destroyed; and
although they have been three times visited by
fire, indomitable energy and enterprise have more
than overcome the effects of the destroying ele-
ments. Samuel G. Browning was born in Miss-
issippi ia 1850, the second in a family of eleven
children. He received his literary education in the
common schools of that State, and having deter-
mined upon the medical ^Jrofession as his calling
in life, in 1872 entered the Louisville Medical
College, commencing the practice of medicine at
Tillatoba, Miss., in 1876. In 1879 he came to
Arkansas and located at Coal Hill, Johnson County,
where he practiced for two years. He then en-
gaged in milling near Russellville, Polk County,
for two years, when he sold out and removed to
Johnson County, devoting himself to milling, cot-
ton ginning and merchandising. At the end of
two years he resumed the same business at Jeffer-
son Springs, whence after a stay of two years, he
moved to his present location, where he has a large
mill, having been very successful in his business.
In 1888 Dr. Browning was elected justice of the
peace, and although a Democrat in his preferences,
he is not active in politics. He is a member of the
Masonic fraternity. In 1877 the Doctor married
Miss Georgie L. Simms, a native of Mississippi,
and an estimable lady, who has borne two children:
Maude, who died at the age of six years, and Wal-
ter, aged eleven. Mrs. Browning is a member of
the Presbyterian Church. Dr. Browning's father
was Wiley J. Browning, of South Carolina, who
married Sarah C. Selby, of the same State. He
was a farmer by occupation and soon after his
marriage moved to Mississippi, engaging in the
same business in connection with stock raising.
At the breaking out of the late war he was a mer-
chant in Winston County, Miss., but entered the
Confederate service as private, and also served as
quartermaster. He was slightly wounded in the
battle at Jackson, Miss., and died in 1877 at the
age of fifty-six. He was a Mason and a member
of the Presbyterian Church. Dr. Browning's in-
fluence in this community is widely felt, and his
progressive spirit and sincere interest in the wel-
fare of his adopted home have had a telling efPect.
All worthy enterprises receive his hearty support.
Dr. Asa Brunson, formerly a practicing physi-
cian of wide and honored acquaintance, and now
one of the wealthy planters of this county, was
born in Tennessee, near Clarksville, in 1822, being
the son of Jesse A. Brunson, an extensive manufac-
turer of pig metal. The latter' s father was Dr.
Asa Brunson, a surgeon in the Revolutionary War,
who just before that event came to the United
States. When Jesse A. was about twelve years of
age. his father moved to Tennessee, locating near
Clarksville, where he was engaged in planting and
stock raising. He was a man of much property,
of superior education, and decided intellect. Of
his four sons, all but one were physicians. The
father of the subject of this sketch married Louisa
Shelby, of Tennessee, now deceased, who had nine
children: Sarah, Asa, Elizabeth, Atherton, M. D.
(deceased), Penelope, Clark S., M. D. (deceased).
Dr. Jesse (deceased), Thomas E. , M. D. (who was
assassinated while quietly reading a paper, being
shot through his window by an unknown person),
and Dr. Randolph, of Pine BlufP. Young Asa
Brunson attained his majority in Tennessee, sup-
plementing his literary education with a coiirse in
medicine, and, in the spring of 1842, graduated
from the medical department of the University of
New York. The same year he located near his
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
161
present residence, practicing till the time of the
late war. In ISo-t or 1855 he engaged in cotton
planting, in which business he has since continued
most successfully. He at one time owned about
sixty slaves, and during the war was allowed to
remain on his plantation because of his principles.
Dr. Brunson is a Democrat, and a man of good sound
sense, a characteristic by no means common in this
day. He is respected for his sterling integrity,
and enjoys the esteem and coniidence of hosts of
friends. A large part of his land has been washed
away by the river. In 1845 Dr. Bninson married
Aleinda Simpson, of Virginia, who was born in
1824; she died in Pine Bluff in 1864, leaving one
child, Mary, now the widow of Frank Tomlinson.
His second wife was Mrs. Louisa A. Fowler, nee
Murdough, of Mississippi. They have three sons,
Asa, Percy and Edgar, the two elde.st of whom are
at school at Knoxville University.
Dr. Randolph Brunson, of Pine Bluff, whose
career as a medical practitioner is favorably known,
comes from a family of physicians and surgeons.
His paternal grandfather was a surgeon in Edin-
burgh College, Scotland, one of the leading
.schools of the world. He came to America when
a young man, during the Revolutionary War, and
served in the army as surgeon. He added to an
extensive reputation already enjoyed by a large
practice all through the South, and died in Ten-
nessee, a wealthy planter and stock raiser. He
had several sons, all medical students, one of
whom, Jesse, was the father of the subject of this
sketch. He (Jesse) attained his majority and was
married in Tennessee, where Randolph was born,
in Stewart County, in 1836. In December of the
same year the father, an irou manufacturer by
occupation, died, and his wife, formerly Louisa
Shelby, took charge of the estate, which she man-
aged for several years in a creditable manner and
settled to the satisfaction of all. Large mining
interests, as well a share of the estate of $200,000,
were left by the father of Jesse. Mrs. Brunson
was a lovely woman, well educated and possessed
of unusually superior business abilities. She
married the second time and lived to a good old
age, dying in 18S0, having been a strict member
of the Episcopal Church. In her family were six
sons and three daughters, of whom one son and
the daughters are living, all the sons being physi-
cians of note, and having graduated from the lead-
ing medical colleges of the United States. Ran-
dolph, the subject of this sketch, received his
diploma from the Jefferson Medical College, of
Philadelphia, which he loft in 1858, subsequently
settling in Arkadelphia. In August of that year
he came to Pine Bluff, where he has since resided,
becoming the leading physician of the place, as
well as one of the oldest settlers. During the late
war he served as surgeon, going to Virginia in 1861,
whence he was transferred to the Trans-Mississippi
Department, taking a very active part till the strife
was ended. Then he returned home and resumed
his practice with the attention and energy which
have redounded to a well deserved esteem and
honored reputation. In 1860 he married Miss
Fannie White, of Pine Bluff, daughter of one of
the county early settlers. Drew White. Four
children have been given them: Randolph, John
W., May (Mrs. Turner), and Atherton, now at
school in Virginia. Dr. Brunson has been a dele-
gate to conventions of his State and of the United
States, and he and his wife are both members of
the Episcopal Church.
John W. Chamblee, who as a planter and dealer
in general merchandise has attained to well de-
served prominence, was born in Franklin County,
N. C, but was reared in Wake County until the
age of seventeen, when he went to Tennessee, there
making his home with his uncles. He was the son
of Rayford and Elizabeth (Wilder) Chamblee, who
were natives of the Carolinas, and of Scotch-Irish
descent, their ancestors having come to this coun-
try long ago The father was a farmer by occupii-
tion and was somewhat interested in i^olitics; he
was born in 1812. When John was an infant his
mother died, leaving one other child, a daughter,
Eliza, who married A. J. Underbill. The father
then married Mrs. Ray, a widow, by whom he
had four children: Eliza W., Bertie D., Augustus
T. (who died in the war), and Cherry L. F.
The subject of this sketch attended school in
Tennessee in youth, subsequently engaging in
162
HISTOEY OF ARKANSAS.
farming for himself. In 1860 he came to Arkan-
sas, but soon returned to Tennessee, and during
the late war served two and a half years with the
Confederacy. He was slightlj^ wounded at Mark' s
Mill, in Arkansas, and also took part in the battle
of Helena with Gen. Price, besides being through
Missouri and Arkansas. When the strife ended
he returned to Tennessee, and iu 1866 again came
to Arkansas, locating at Garretson's Landing, where
for a few years he followed farming, and finally
established himself as a general merchant at Green-
back and at Swan Lake Landing. In 1883 he
came to his present location, and here has a fine
stock of goods, dealing in cotton, etc. , in connec-
tion with which he is a planter of experience and
success. On September 6, 1876, Mr. Chamblee
married Miss Laura C. Farley, of Fayette Coun-
ty, Tenn. , daughter of John A. Farley and wife.
She was born November 21, 1853, and died Au-
gust 24, 1886; she was a lovely woman and a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr.
Chamblee has been a merchant for fifteen years
and is a stanch Democrat. In this connection it
is eminently proj)er that an obituary notice pub-
lished upon the death of Mrs. Chamblee by a
local paper be inserted in this place, as indicat-
ing to some extent the true worth of this woman
and the happy relations she enjoyed as a wife.
' ' Died — At her home, near Greenback, Ark. , on
Tuesday, August 24, Mrs. Laura C. Chamblee,
wife of Mr. John W. Chamblee, and daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. John A. Farley, of Fayette County,
Tenn. She was buried in Elmwood on the 26th.
The relentless hand of death never tore from
human hearts a more priceless treasure, or made a
more terrible void in the vacant chair or in loving
hearts. Young, brilliant, surpassingly beautiful,
graceful as a fawn in every movement, yet all un-
conscious of her charms, she seemed to live only to
make others happy, and benignity, love and holy
joy beamed from every lineament of her fine coun-
tenance. With a mind as bright and as pure as a
diamond, gentle and .sj'mpathetic through all her
nature, full of noble and generous impulses, ten-
der and considerate in all her intercourse, she was
the delight of every circle, and the idol of those
near and dear to her. A loving and dutiful daugh-
ter, she was also a noble and devoted wife; and no
husband ever prized more highly, or loved more
truly, the wife of his bosom than her faithful
spouse; and their lives flowed on like a blissful
dream of eastern romance. But, alas! disease
comes, and in a few short days the ' golden bowl
is broken, the pitcher is broken at the fountain,'
and he is left desolate! But God has taken her,
for she was too much like the angels for the un-
hallowed walks of earth. May God bless and com-
fort him, and in the fullness of his own good time
take him also where, in joy unspeakable, they may
dwell together forever. ' '
W^. J. Childress, M. D. , a prominent physician
of Pine Bluff, was born in Franklin, Williamson
County, Tenn., December 12, 1827, being the son
of William G. and Mary (Bradley) Childress, both
natives of Tennessee. The paternal grandfather,
Stephen, was of North Carolina nativity, and early
settled at Nashville, Tenn. , where, as well as can
be traced, he built the first house in that future
city. He died in the western porticyi of the State.
The father of Dr. Childress was a farmer by voca-
tion, and lived most of his life in Williamson
County, where he died in 1846. He was sheriff of
that county for some time, and also represented
his constituents in the legislature. He was also
cashier of the Bank of Franklin. IVIi's Childress
died in 1864, having reared eight children, five of
whom are living : Thomas B. (a prominent lawyer
of St. Louis), William J. (twin brother to Thomas,
and the subject of this biography), Mrs. Sinclair
(of Texas), Mrs. Kilpatriek, and Mrs. Cole (both
of Memphis). Dr. Childress was brought up and
received his education in Tennessee, commencing
the study of medicine at an early age, and after a
thorough preparation, in 1852, he was gradiiated
from the Jefferson Medical College of Philadel-
phia. He began practice in Nashville, Tenn. , and
in the fall of 1852, came to Jefferson County,
Ark., locating at Eichland, where he entered
upon a jsrofessional career, and continued for many
years. He then settled in Arkansas County, but
in 1886 returned to Pine Bluff, where he is still
occupied in the practice of his profession, being
recognized as one of the most prominent physicians
of Central Arkansas, and deservedly popular. In
1854 he married Ellen N. Woodson, who bore three
children, two of whom are now living: Thomas B.
and Amanda R. Mrs. Childress died in 1883.
The Doctor is an influential Democrat, and a mem-
ber of the Catholic Chnrch.
John M. Clayton, who was prominent among the
men of Jeiferson County that have passed away,
was born near Chester, Penn., on October 13,1840,
and was a son of John and Ann (Glover) Clayton.
He was reared and remained on a farm until at-
taining his maturity, obtaining in the meantime a
good education at the common schools and acade-
mies of his birthplace. When the Civil War com-
menced, although yet in his youth, he gallantly
enlisted, and served in the Army of the Potomac,
participating in nearly all of the important en-
gagements. Shortly after the war was over, he re-
moved to Jefferson County, Ark., with his young
wife, and located on the farm of his brother. Gen.
Powell Clayton, who had preceded him here sev-
eral years, and who took an active part in the Ee-
bellion. Gen. Clayton became one of the most
prominent men of Arkansas, having been elected
to the highest office in the State — Governor, and
also United States Senator. John M. Clayton re-
mained on the farm for several years, and was very
successful as a planter. He held his first office in
the township of Richland, being elected justice of
the peace, and subsequently was elected to the
State Senate, holding the speaker's chair for a short
time p?'o tern. In 1876 he was elected sheriff of
Jefferson County, and held that office for ten years,
being re-elected at the expiration of each term. In
the fall of 1888 he became a candidate for Con-
gress, his opponent being Hon. Mr. Brecken-
ridge. The contest was very close, with Mr. Breck-
enridge receiving the certificate. It was, however,
decided to contest the validity of the election, and
while doing so, on January 19, 1889, Mr. Clayton
was foully assassinated, being shot while sitting
near a window. This cowardly deed aroused the
indignation of the press and people throughout the
country, but up to the present wi'iting his murder-
ers have never been brought to justice. Mr. Clay-
ton is buried at Pine Bluff, by the side of his de-
voted wife, who died several years previous. Mr.
Clayton was a law-abiding and upright citizen.
He had a host of friends in Jefferson County, and
especially in Pine Bluff, and his loss was deeply
felt throughout the community. Politically, he
was a Republican, and in secret societies a Mason,
and also held the office of Deputy Grand Master of
the Knights Templar at the time of his assassina-
tion. He left six children to mourn him, the
eldest being Miss Emma Clayton, the present
postmistress at Pine Bluff', who received her ap-
pointment in July, 1889.
W. J. Cole, an industrious, enterprising citi-
zen of Jefferson County, owes his nativity to Wayne
County, Tenn., where his birth occurred January
Ifi, 1847. His father, George B. Cole, was also
born in Wayne County, Tenn., in the year 1820.
The latter was reared in his native State, and after
growing up, married Miss Bettie A. Curtis, of Ten-
nessee origin. Their union was blessed by the birth
of eight children, five sons and three daughters, five
of whom are still living, and four are residents of
this State. One is located in Missouri. George
B. Cole was a successful agriculturist, and owned
about 220 acres of good land in Washington and
Izard Counties. He served in the late war, and
was at the battle of Vicksburg, receiving his dis-
charge in the fall of 1803, after which he returned
home and resumed his former occupation of tilling
the soil. He subsequently went on a visit to Ten-
nessee, where his father was living, and was killed
while on his return in 1864. The mother died in
1885 in Jackson County, Ark. Both were mem-
bers of the Methodist Church. W. J. Cole was
educated at Fayetteville, Washington County,
Ark., but from there went to Izard County, and
removed from there to Jackson County in 1865.
In 1870 he came to Jefferson County, where he
married Miss Mary Jane King, a native of Ten-
nessee, on February 4, 1874. and the fruits
of this union are five children, two sons and
three daughters — George W., Roxanna, James H. ,
Mattie C. and Mary E. Four are now living, and
all reside at home. Mr. Cole has two orphan boys
living with him, and they are the sons of Joseph
164
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
aud Elizabeth King. He has been occupied all
his life in tilling the soil, is the owner of about
seventy acres of land, and has about sixty-five
acres under cultivation. He is also engaged in
running a grist mill and a cotton gin. He be-
longs to the Masonic fraternity, and during the
three years of his membership he has filled the
office of tyler of the lodge. He is a member and
has held the office of treasurer in the Agricultural
Wheel for one term. He and wife belong to the
Methodist Church, and both are active church
workers. He has at this time sold out in Jeffersoh
County, Ark., and has bought a 160-acre farm in
Conway County, Ark., paying 11,500 cash for same,
and has other property to the amount of $2. 5('0.
and is entirely clear of debt. His postoffice after
January 1, 1890, will be Springfield, Conway Coun-
ty, Ark.
Garrett Cooper, one of the oldest and most re-
spected citizens of Jefferson County, was born in
Craven County, N. C. , on April 26, 1826, and is a
son of Robert and Isabel (Preseott) Cooper. The
parents moved from North Carolina to Tennessee
in 1828, and settled in Tipton County, where Gar-
rett was reared and educated. Both parents died
at an advanced age. In his early youth, Garrett
displayed a fondness for mechanical pursuits that
predicted a brilliant future, and when only eighteen
or nineteen years of age he received a contract to
build several bridges in the State of Tennessee.
From that time to the year 1860 he contracted
throughout the State for building bridges, cotton
gins and otber structures, and his fame as such
spread rapidly to the surrounding country. Prob-
ably no other scientific mechanic in that part of
the country enjoyed the reputation that young
Cooper had made for himself. Science was a study
to which he had applied himself all his life, it was
natural to him, and in the construction of bridges,
he had few superiors even among the older mechan-
ics. In 1866 he embarked in mercantile life at
what was known as Lower Seven Lake, and after-
ward Cooper Landing, named in his honor when
the postoffice was established at that point. He
continued in business until very recently, and from
1866 began to cultivate cotton quite extensively.
He now owns 700 acres of very productive land,
and at one time had control of Cooper's Island,
having purchased it for $30,000, but a number of
very disastrous floods destroyed it. On August
22, 1849, he was married to Miss Ann Kent, of
Tipton County, Tenn., a daughter of George W.
Kent, who was very prominent in that county.
This lady was born May 20, 1833, and died April
13, 1872, and by her marriage with Mr. Cooper be-
came the mother of twelve children, of whom four
are yet living: Bob S., Frances V. (wife of a Mr.
Neely, of Mississippi County, Ark.), Mary F. and
Willie. In 1875 he was married to Miss Mary
Kent, a sister of his first wife, this lady having
been born in Virginia, on April 21, 1829, and died
February 15, 1881. Mr. Cooper is a member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of which
he is trustee, and in politics he is a stanch Demo-
crat. He is now sixty-three years of age, but to
look at him, no one would think he was more than
fifty. He uses no glasses, nor does he ever expect
to, remarking that "I would trade my eyes for
none. ' ' During the war he was neutral and con-
sequently excused from service, but he traveled
over the country a great deal, and was never mo-
lested by either side. Mr. Cooper can be proud
of one fact, and that is that diu'ing his life he was
never arrested for any cause whatsoever. He is a
leader in public and private enterprises, and one
of the foremost citizens in the county. His popu-
larity is unbounded, and few men are held in
higher esteem.
John D. Crockett, book-keej)er and manager of
Col. John M. Grade's cotton plantation in Bogy
Township, Jefferson County, was born in Arkansas
County, near Crockett's Bluffs, on the White River,
on August 1, 1858, and is a son of David and
Nancy Crockett. The father was a very success-
ful farmer during his life, but a considerable loser
by the Civil War. At the time of his death, he
had not succeeded in recovering much of his for-
tune, and was in only comparatively easy circum-
stances. He was prominent in Masonic circles
and a noted Democratic isolitician, his favor being
sought for by hundreds of men during his life-
time. Two years of his life he gave to the South
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
165
in serving through the war, and his deeds on the
field of l)attle were brave and many. He was a
son of William Crockett, whose father was the
celebrated Davy Crockett, of historical fame. The
mother of John D. was a member of the Presby-
terian Church, and by her marriage became the
mother of five children, of whom John is the only
one now living. After his father's death. John D.
went to reside with an uncle, with whom he re
mained for two years, but at the end of that time he
started out in the world for himself, and has acted
as salesman in the towns of Swan Lake, Dar-
danelle, Pendleton, Sarassa and his present loca-
tion. He entered the employ of Col. John M.
Graeie in 1882 as salesman and book-keeper,
and so well has he repaid the confidence and trust
reposed in him, that now he has charge not only
of the Colonel's mercantile affairs, but also of his
plantation, which consists of 2,400 acres under
cultivation. He is an expert book-keeper, a
shrewd business man and a competent manager,
and bids fair to become one of the most prominent
men in Central Arkansas in the near future. On
February 27. 1883, he was married to Miss Mary
D. Field, a daughter of Silas Field, of Little
Rock, by whom he has had one child, James D.
Mrs. Crockett is a member of the Episcopal
Church. Mr. Crockett is one of the two Crocketts
who went to the 103d anniversary of the birth of
Davy Crockett, at Limestone, East Tenn., on Au-
gust 17, 1889. The other Crockett was Robert
H. , a prominent attorney of Stuttgart, Ark., and
a grandson of Davy Crockett. The latter gentle-
man was a colonel in the Confederate army during
the Civil War, and won an illustrious name for
courage and daring.
George E. Crutchfielcl, who as a planter and
merchant at English postoffice, is well and favor-
ably known, was born in North Carolina in 1840,
being the son of James and Sarah (Moon) Crutch-
field, of Orange County, N. C. They first came to
Arkansas in 1852, but the following year moved
to Tennessee, locating in Fayette County, where
George was reared, growing to manhood on his
father's farm. He remained at the latter place
till 1871, subsequently going to Hardeman Coun-
ty, Tenn. , which was his home for foiu- years, and
in 1876 located in St. Francis County, Ark. In
1877 he came to his present location, and entered
upon a career as planter, also establishing himself
as general merchant, in both of which he has met
with deserved success. He is truly a self-made
man, industrious and energetic, and now enjoys a
business of $15,000 per year. He is also post
master at Engli.sh, the office being located in his
store. Mr. Crutchfieid served three years in the
Confederate army during the war, during which
time he was taken prisoner at Decatur, Ala. , being
paroled after three months at Nashville. Upon
the close of the war he returned home and at-
tended school in Payette County. Mr. Crutch-
field's wife was formerly a Miss Dora Bagley, of
Tennessee, who is still living. They have no chil-
dren of their own, but are bringing up two nieces
(children of Mrs. Crutchfieid' s sister), Neda and
Maggie Greer, the mother having died when they
were eight days, and fourteen months old, respect-
ively. Their father is living, but is an invalid
from paralysis. Mr. Crutchfieid is a Democrat in
his political preferences and a representative citi-
zen of the community.
Mrs. Mary E. Curlin, widow of James V. Cur-
lin, who was an old resident of Arkansas, was
born in Jackson County, Ala., October 6, 1845,
and is a daughter of C. A. and Elizabeth (Shell)
Chadick, of Tennessee and Alabama, respective-
ly. Charles A. Chadick was a noted Methodist
minister, and was born May 13, 1820. In 1841
he was married to Miss Elizabeth Shell, a daugh-
ter of Adam Shell, of Alabama, and in 1845 re-
moved with his wife to Arkansas. He was li-
censed to preach in that State in 1848, and located
in Jefferson County, where he labored in the re-
ligious field until August 14, 1888. As a preacher
of the gospel he was far above the average, being
able to propound the Bible with a clearness and
earnestness that would convince the most skepti-
cal. The entire community in which he resided,
as well as his congregation, loved and honored
him as few men are regarded, and his loss was
sincerely mourned by those who had heard his
voice in life. Mr. Chadick was a Mason in good
166
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
standing for a number of years, and in politics
he was a stanch Democrat. During the war he
entered the Confederate army, and served as lieu-
tenant of artillery for three years, operating in
Arkansas and Missouri, and taking part in almost
every battle west of the JMississippi River. Pre-
vious to serving in the artillery he was a member
of Capt.'McGee's company, and operated in Vir-
ginia, but was discharged on account of disability.
Two of his sons were also in the Confederate army.
James C. was a member of Company C, Arkansas
Infantry, and took part in many engagements east
of the Mississippi, while William J. belonged to
Company D of the Ninth Arkansas Infantry, and
fought in the same territory. The latter was twice
wounded and once taken prisoner, but escaped by
making a bold break for liberty. The Chadick
family are of Scotch-Irish descent, while the Shell
family are German. Miss Mary E. Chadick was
reared and educated in Jefferson County. In De-
cember, 1869, she became the wife of James V.
Curlin, who came to Arkansas with his parents and
located first in Dallas County, and a few years
later moved to Jefferson County. He was born on
October 9, IS-tS, in the State of Tennessee, and
was a son of Jesse J. Curlin, who died in Ran
dolph County on May 21, 1888. Mr. Curlin began
life as a poor boy in 1867, and it was not until
his marriage with Miss Chadick that the brightest
part of his life was exhibited. By her sound ad-
vice and help, added to his own good judgment
and untiring industry, he became one of the most
successful farmers in Central Arkansas. He was
never interested in politics to any great extent, but
an appeal from the distressed and needy was always
sure to enlist his sympathies. He was a true
friend to the church, always ready to help advance
the cause of religion until his death, which oc-
curred July 2, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Curlin were
the parents of five sons and two daughters, of
whom six are still living: Anna E. (deceased), Ben-
jamin M. (born December 6, 1871), Charles J.
(born September 6, 1873), James C. (born Decem-
ber 4, 1875), Claude M. (born October 27, 1878),
George W. (born October 16, 1880), Mary E. (born
September 14, 1882). Mr. and Mrs. Curlin were
both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, which the latter has attended since fourteen
years of age. She is an earne.st Christian woman
and very popular with the community.
Malcom Currie is the well-known proprietor of
Currie Vineyard, situated eight miles southwest of
Pine Bluff, on the public road between White
Sulphur Springs and Lee's Springs, being a half
mile distant from each jjoint. This is conceded to
be one of the finest vineyards and fruit farms in
Central Arkansas, and is managed in a manner
which is sure to secure profitable retui'ns. The
orchard consists of 250 apple-bearing trees, 150
peach trees, 1 25 wild goose plum trees, 140 dwarf
pear trees, and 150 Le Conte pear trees. In
the vineyard are about 5,000 bunch grape vines,
three-fourths of which are bearing, 250 scupper-
nong vines, on arbors from 50 to 900 square feet.
Besides making from 2,000 to 2,500 gallons of
wine, several thousand pounds of grapes are sold
annually. Mr. Currie was born in North Carolina
in 1825, and is a son of Daniel and Anna (Ray)
Currie, natives of North Carolina, both of whom
were born in 1801. They died within five miles
of their birth-place, the father in 1871 and the
mother in 1868. They were of Scotch descent,
their ancestors having come to the United States
some time before the Revolutionary War, with a
large number of families who settled in the Caro-
linas; as might be supposed, they belonged to the
Presbyterian Church. Malcom was the oldest of
nine children, seven of whom are yet living. He
was reared on the farm in North Carolina, and
having received a classical education in the best
schools in the county, at the age of twenty years
commenced teaching school. In October, 1857,
he moved to Arkansas, settling on the place where
he now lives, but boarded at White Sulphur
Springs the first year until he could build. In
1862 he ceased his professional duties for a time,
and served eighteen months in the Confederate
army on post duty. After the close of the war he
resided near Pine Bluft' for two years, raising cot-
ton, but returned to the place where he now re-
sides, and planted the nucleus of his present
extensive vineyard. While in North Carolina Mr.
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
107
Currie was married to Miss Eliza Davis, whose
birth occurred in that State in 1825. She died iu
Arkansas in 1861, having borne two children,
Charles G. and Ida (now the wife of Henry G.
Hanna, of Kentucky). Charles died suddenly in
1877, at the age of twenty- eight years, of heart
disease. After his wife's death, Mr. Carrie's
house was presided over by an older sister-in-law
until her death in October, 1880, and since that
time by one of his own sisters. In 1860 he was
elected common school commissioner for Jefferson
County, holding the office eight years. In 1882
he was elected county assessor, serving one term,
and he has been school director many years. He
was principal of the High School of Pine Bluff
for two years, closing his connection with that in-
stitution in June, 1877, which terminated his
career as a professional teacher. He is a member
of the Presbyterian Church at Pine Bluff. Perhaps
no citizen of Jefferson County occupies a warmer
place in the affections of the people as an advocate
and promoter of educational advancement than
Mr. Cui'rie. His interests in this direction are by
no means personal, and his influence in this as in
other respects has been of decided benefit.
Rev. Joseph A. Dickson, D. D. , pastor of the
Presbyterian Church at Pine Bluff, is one of the
popular and highly respected ministers of this
county. He was born in Dickson County, Tenn. ,
September 9, 1835, his father, Joseph A. Dick-
son, being a son of Moulton Dickson, of North
Alabama, who first saw the light in 1807. The
Dicksons originally came from Scotland in an early
day, and settled in the Carolinas; some of the
ancestors served as soldiers under Cromwell.
Joseph A., the father, was a practicing phj'sician of
prominence in Dickson County, Tenn., which was
named for some member of the family. He died
when his son was but an infant. His wife, Nancy
Belle, of the same county as himself, was born in
1814. After the death of her husband she re-
mained a widow for five years, and then married
Rev. W. A. Williams, of the Cumberland Presby-
terian Church, who still lives in Texas, she having
died in 1848. By her first marriage there were
two children: Georgia Anna (who died at the age
of two years), and Joseph A. (our subject). By the
second marriage there were six children, all living:
Anna E., Mary L., Sarah J., Medicus U., Martha
E., and Nancy B. Joseph A., the youngest child
of the first marriage, was reared in Dickson County
until fourteen years of age, when he went to Tip-
ton County and attended school two years: he then
attended Erskine College, of South Carolina, from
which he graduated in 1854 with the degree of A.
B. Subsequently studying law at the Cumber-
land University, Tennessee, he took one course of
lectures, and afterward returned to Tipton County,
where he married Miss Mary C. McCain, of Ten-
nessee. Following this he taught school for two
years, after which he entered the Theological De-
{jartment of Erskine College, and in the spring of
1857 was licensed to preach in the Associate Re-
formed Presbyterian Church. He spent three
years in Central Mississipjsi, and was then called
to Monticello, Ark., where he took charge of the
church the same day that Lincoln was elected
president. After having served this church dur-
ing the war, he remained until 1871, when he was
called to Millersburg, Ky. In the fall of 1805,
he changed his relationship from the Associ-
ate Reformed Presbyterian Church to the First
Presbyterian Church. September 1, 1881, Dr.
Dickson located in Pine Bluff, assuming charge of
the First Presbyterian Church, where he has since
continued, obtaining a firm hold in the hearts of
his parishioners as well as those of wider acquain-
tance. At the time of his coming the membership
was seventy, which has increased to about 400 at
the present date. During 1888-89 100 members
were added. To Dr. Dickson and wife have been
born four children: Emmett M. (a successful
lawyer at Paris. Ky. . who graduated from Sid-
ney College, in Virginia), Charles B. (a student
at the Central University, of Kentucky), and Mary
Will (at home). Claude Ross died in 1867 at the
age of six years. Mrs. Dickson is an ardent
worker in the church, and one of the best of
women. Dr. Dickson is a member of the American
Legion of Honor. In 1885 the Central University
of Kentucky conferred upon him the title of D. D.
J. B. Dodds, one of the leading planters of
J 68
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Jefferson Couaty, and a prominent citizen of Pine
Bluff, was born at Dayton, Montgomery County,
Ohio, October 25, 1832, and is a son of Joseph
and Eleanor (Ewing) Dodds, the former born near
Philadelphia, Penn. , and the mother a native of
Kentucky. The elder Dodds was reared on a farm
and educated in the city of Philadelphia. After
his marriage he removed with his wife to Ohio, in
which State they jaassed the remainder of their
days, the father dying in Dayton and the mother
in Shelbyville. Seven children were born to their
marriage, of whom three are yet living: Matthew
M. , Joseph B. , and Jeunie (wife of Dr. John C. Slo-
cum). J. B. Dodds, the principal in this sketch, was
reared and educated in his native State, attending
the public schools. He remained with his father,
looking after the management of the farm, u.ntil the
year 1855, when he moved to Paris, 111., and
embarked in mercantile life with his brother and
brother-in law, remaining in that city for seven
years. At the close of the war he, in company
with his brother and a Mr. Wolf, went to Memphis,
Tenn. , and established a wholesale grocery busi-
ness, which they carried on successfully until the
latter part of 1867. Mr. Wolf then withdrew
from the tirm, and the brother moved to Pine Bluff,
where he again started in business, J. B. joining
him later. They carried on the business until
1877, when the latter retired from the firm and
turned his attention to planting, which calling he
has followed ever since. Mr. Dodds now owns
260 acres of very fertile land, with about 150 acres
under cultivation, and has rented for the past live
years over 1,200 acres, which he has placed in cot-
ton every year. Added to this, he owns a business
block in Pine Bluff, from which the rentals form a
considerable income alone, and, together with his
plantation interests, make him one of the solid
men, financially, of Jefferson County. Mr. Dodds
was married in 1859 to Miss Fannie Molton, an
adopted daughter of S. W. Molton, by whom he
has had five children: Charles N., George, Gamer,
Samuel, and Mamie. Mr. and Mrs. Dodds are
members of the Presbyterian Church, and liberal
in their aid to all religious and educational mat-
ters. In secret societies Mr. Dodds has been a
Mason for over thirty years — Royal Arch, and also
belongs to the Knights Templar. He is one of the
most substantial and enterprising citizens of Pine
Bluff, and a man of great popularity and influence.
His wealth has accumulated by his own individual
efforts, business tact and judicious management,
although he has several times lost a fortune in
mercantile life. While in business at Memphis
his shipments were among the largest coming to
that city, one shipment alone from Cincinnati to
Memphis amounting to $75,000. He is a promi-
nent figure in the affairs of Jefferson County,
especially those tending to its advancement and
progress, but as a rule prefers the quiet of his com-
fortable home and family to the excitement of
social pleasures.
H. N. Dunn. Among the representative farm-
ers of this county, none are more worthy of men-
tion than Mr. Diuin, who was born in Shelby
County, Tenn., in 1850. At the age of nine
years he came to Arkansas with his parents, W.
D. and Anna (Henry) Dunn, settling on the place
on which their son now lives, where the mother
still survives, the father having been killed in 1880,
at the age of sixty-five years, by a runaway team
attached to a mowing machine. He served in the
commissary department during the war. H. N.
Dunn, the subject of this sketch, is the eldest of
eight children, four of whom are now living, and
three in Memphis, Tenn. He has lived the greater
part of his life in this State, though during the
war he was a resident of Tennessee, at the close of
which struggle he returned to Arkansas. Mr.
Dunn has not yet joined the ranks of the bene-
dicts, but devotes his time to the cultivation of his
200-acre farm, which is planted to cotton, and
is one of the best places on the river. This is pro-
tected by a levee erected by himself. He is a
progressive farmer and much interested in enter-
prises tending to the advancement of his adopted
home.
Frank M. Fergus (deceased) was a prominent
planter of Jefferson County, and a man whose
memory is cherished by the citizens of this section
as one of its influential, respected residents. He
was born in Cumberland County, Ky. , in the year
1822, and remained at home with his parents till
he became of age. His first venture on leaving
home was to teach school, and in 1847 he came to
this county, locating six miles below tlie present
homestead, removing in 1859 to the place where
his widow now resides; this was then unimproved,
but by his good management and care, was put in
a fine state of cultivation. At that time there were
700 acres, a part of which has since gone into the
river. Mr. Fergus became one of the leading
planters of the county, quiet and unassuming in his
manner of living, and although not a church mem-
ber, was a believer in the Christian religion. His
people were Methodists. He died May 23, 1884.
Mr. Fergus' marriage was to Mrs. Mildred A. Mor-
rell, widow of M. P. Morrell. Mr. Morrell was
born at Natchez, Miss., in 1820, and died in 1857.
He came to Arkansas in 1852, and located in Jef-
ferson County, on the south side of the Arkansas
luver, six miles below Pine Bluff, where as a planter
he became well-to-do, leaving at the time of his
death about 1,200 acres of land. Mrs. Fergus
was born in Clark County, Ky. , the daughter of
Louis and Elizabeth Boone (Brooks) Bledsoe, of
Virginia. Her great-grandmother was a near rela-
tive of Daniel Boone. Mrs. Fergus' parents first
settled in Chicot County, where the father died in
1844, and in the same year the family went to
Pulaski, near Little Rock. The mother died in
1874, in Kentucky. Four of this family of ten
children are living: Calvin, Elizabeth B. Warner,
Louisa A. Collins and Mrs. Fergus. Two children
of Mrs. Fergus by her first marriage survive: Dr.
M. P. Morrell, of St. Louis, and Alexander M. ,
at home. Three children l)y Ihe second mar-
riage are living: William F., and Mildred B. (wife
of W. J. Levy, both of this county), and Minerva
E. (at home). Mrs. Fergus has been a member of
the Christian Church since sixteen years of age.
She is an estimable lady, of good business ability
and management, and in overseeing and conduct-
ing the farm, displays a wisdom and good judg-
ment for which she deserves great credit.
Capt. S. Geisreiter, planter, Pine Bluff, Ark.
There are few men of the present day whom
the world acknowledges as successful, more worthy
of honorable mention, or whose history affords a
better illustration of what may be accomplished by
a determined will and perseverance, than Mr.
G,eisreiter. He was born in Bavaria, Germany,
May 30, 1840, being the son of Jacob and
Mary E. ("Van Smuck) Geisreiter, natives of the
same country. Cajat. Geisreiter was left mother-
less when quite small, and his father was married
the second time, after which, or in 1854, they emi-
grated to America, taking passage at Bremen and
arriving in New York after a forty days' ocean
voyage. They remained there until 1858, and the
father carried on his trade, that of architect,
builder and cabinet maker, having, while in the
old country, also conducted a large furniture man-
ufactory. In 1858 he moved to Washington, Iowa,
where he died one year later. Capt. S. Geisreiter
was educated in Germany, and learned the cabinet
maker's trade, but soon found other pursuits more
congenial to his taste and ability. After going to
Washington, Iowa, he entered college, attending
two terms; but meantime the war broke out; his
patriot brother had enlisted from Minnesota and
was killed at the battle of Gettysburg. Capt. S.
Geisreiter promptly took his brother's place and
served until the close of the war. He ranked as
first lieutenant, but by reason of the many duties
he was called upon to perform, was given the title
of captain. After cessation of hostilities he lo-
cated at Pine Bluff (the army having brought him
there on detached service), and was engaged in the
real estate and insurance business, which he car-
ried on for nine years. He then began planting,
has since carried it on, and is now the owner of
much choice land, while he also manages the plant-
ations of his father-in-law, Mr. Joseph Merrill.
The Captain is one of the most enterprising and
successful men of the county, is honorable and up-
right in all his dealings, and as a useful, influential
citizen, holds a conspicuous position in the com-
munity. He selected for his companion in life
Miss Mary O. Merrill, now deceased, whom he
married in November, 1877. After remaining a
widower for eleven yeais he married Miss Linda
Chinn, daughter of the late Dr. RoUa Chinn, of
Shawhan, Bourbon County, Ky. Capt. Geisreiter
170
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
is more than ready to do all lie can for the ad-
vancement and permanent prosperity of his long-
time home, the State of his selection and the coun-
try of his adoption. He is an active member of the
Masonic fraternity and of the order of Knights of
Pythias.
James F. and Emanuel L. George, are two
brothers whose names are prominent in the enter-
prises of Jefferson County. They were born in
Coosa County, Ala., on April 30, 1850, and March
15, 1852, respectively, and are the sons of Silas
and Nancy (Ferguson) George, the father a native
of Georgia and the mother from Alabama. The
parents were married in the latter State and moved
to Jefferson County when both boys were children.
The elder George was born on Augu.st 27, 1822,
and the mother on November 8, 1827. The latter
died in 1864, and some time after her death the
father married Miss Elizabeth Dugan, who has
since died. Both Mr. and Mrs. George were earn-
est Christian people and were members of the
Methodist Episcopal Chu^rch, South, in which
church he was an official. In polities he was a
Democrat, but never mixed much in political
affairs, although in other enterprises, both public
and j)rivate, he was a prominent figure. Seven
children blessed his lirst marriage, of whom Eman-
uel was the third and James the fourth child born.
Both sons received their education in Jefferson
County and remained at home until their father's
death in 1875, when they rented land and com-
menced in life for themselves. In 1881 they bought
1 00 acres of land on their present location, and by
good management and strict attention to business
have increased it to 320 acres, the land being some
of the most productive in Central Arkansas.
James has also engaged in saw- milling to some ex-
tent and has made the venture quite successful.
In 1886 he was married to Miss Dora Diamond, of
Jefferson County, by whom he had one child,
Edward Felix. After the death of his first wife
he was united to Miss Omar Dalton, who became
the mother of one child, Frances L. The other
brother, Emanuel, was married in 1881 to Miss
Katy Diamond, by whom he had five children, all
of them now deceased. Both brothers and their
I wives are members of the Catholic Church, and
liberal contributors to religious and educational
I matters. They rank among the leading citizens of
the county, and are highly respected in their com-
miuiity.
Benjamin L. Gocio. one of the large land owners
of this county, is a native Arkansan, having been
born in Villemont Township in 1854. He is a son of
Joseph and Elizabeth (Johnson) Gocio, originally
from Arkansas and Georgia, respectively. In the
family were nine children, three of whom are
living: John (near Hot Springs), Lucy Humph-
reys (in Washington County, Ark.), and the sub-
ject of this sketch, the latter of whom has always
resided in this township. At the age of fifteen
years he commenced farming for himself, and in
1876 was married to Miss Jane Mitchell, of Ar-
kansas County, whose birth occurred at the Post.
Her father, Frank Mitchell, of this State, died
when his daughter was five years of age. Mr. and
Mrs. Gocio have had six children: Anna, Ida,
Ollie, Joseph, Lucy (deceased), and Agnes. Mr.
Gocio has about 250 acres of land under cultiva-
tion, and is the owner of upward of 1,800 acres.
He is a member of the Catholic Church. His
grandparents came to the United States from
France in an early day, locating at New Orleans,
and later at Arkansas Post, where Joseph was
born, and where he lived, a farmer, until his death,
which occurred when Benjanin L. was fourteen
months old, in 1856. He was born in 1803. The
mother was married (the second time) to Mr. R. S.
Dollerhide, who died in 1876; she was born in
1818, and is still living at Booneville, Miss. Mr.
Gocio, by a lifetime spent in this locality, has fully
demonstrated his worth and energy as an intelli-
gent successful farmer. His extensive acquaint-
ance is only equaled by the universal respect
accorded him.
Dr. J. L. Goree, justly considered one of
the most eminent of the medical profession in
Jefferson County, was born in Smith County,
Tenn., on the 8th of October, 1853, and is a son
of Dr. James L. and Mary E. (Dixon) Goree, of
Marion, Ala., and Smith County, Tenn., respect-
ively. The father was a prominent physician dur-
'JEFFERSON COUNTY.
171
iag his life, and a graduate of Jefferson Medical
College at Philadelphia. About the year 1850 he
moved to what is now Lincoln County, Ark., and
remained there practieinghis profession until 1860.
During the Civil War he resided in Texas, but
after the surrender he returned to Arkansas and re-
sumed his practice, continuing with great success
until his death in December, 1866. The mother is
still living, and resides with her son, the principal
of this sketch. Dr. J. L. Goree was principally
reared in Arkansas, and received his education at
St. Louis University, and King's College of Bristol,
Tenn. At the age of twenty- two he began the
study of medicine, and in February, 1876, gradu-
ated from the Louisville Medical College, after-
ward taking an ad eundem degree added by the
Kentucky School of Medicine. He then stood a
competitive examination against the picked men of
foui' medical colleges for a hospital position, and
was the successful competitor for one of the four
positions. The Doctor remained in the hospital for
one year, afterward coming to Lincoln County,
Ark. , where he hoped to settle up his father' s en-
tangled estate, but owing to the slowness of the
courts, failed to accomplish anything. In the
spring of 1881 he located at New Gascony, Jeffer-
son County, Ark., where his reputation as a suc-
cessful physician attained such proportions that
one of the leading physicians of Pine Bluff offered
him a partnership. This he accepted, and re-
mained at Pine Bluff for one year, but at the re-
peated and urgent solicitations of his old patrons,
he was induced to return to New Gascony, and
did so, remaining there until the spring of 1889.
He then again came to Pine Bluff (where he has
continued to reside), and rapidly rose to the front
ranks of his profession in spite of the competition
from older men in that line. The Doctor has at-
tained a prominence among the medical fraternity
that is well deserved, as he has made his profes-
sion the study of his life. His services are sought
fpr continuously, and his fine practice fully at-
test to his skill. He is a member of the Jefferson
Medical Society, and also of the State Medical
Society. In 1877 he was married to Miss Victoria
T. Evans, by whom he has had two children; Vic-
toria and James L. In secret societies the Doctor
is a member of the Knights of Honor.
William P. Grace, attorney, Pine Bluff, Ark.
Among the prominent names that go to make
up the strength of the Arkansas bar, that of Will-
iam P. Grace is looked upon with considerable
pride by the people of this locality, not only for
his brilliant efforts in his profession, but for his
unquestioned integrity and honesty of purpose.
His birth occurred in Caldwell County, Ky. ,
November 22, 1822, and he is the son of Preston
and Jane (Kilgore) Grace, the former a native
of Tennessee and the latter of Kentucky. They
were married in Caldwell County, Ky. , and there
passed their entire lives. The father was a brick-
layer by trade. In their family were six children,
only two now living: William P. and Benjamin F.
William P. Grace attained his growth and received
his education in his native State, having attended
Cumberland College at Princeton, Ky. He worked
with his father at the brick laying business until
twenty two years of age, when he became desir-
ous of prosecuting his studies, and after working
for some time for the required means, attended
school for a year at Princeton. He then began the
study of law with Livingston Lindsey, was ad-
mitted to the bar in the spring of 1847, and tinallj^
left the State of his nativity with a view of locating
in Florida. Not being satisfied there he returned
towards the North and settled at Pine Bluff, where
a short time afterward he formed a co-partnership
with Robert E. Waters. At the end of eight-
een months Mr. Waters retired and Mr. Grace
continued alone. In 1852 he was elected prosecut-
ing attorney and served one term, during which
time he formed a partnership with Judge John C.
Murray, of the circuit court, continuing with him
for about three years, when Mr. Murray was again
elected judge, and he was once more left alone in
his practice until 1860. Being a Henry Clay
Whig, he consented to become a candidate for
elector for the Whig party, having been elected
to the same position in 1856. He was a Doug-
las candidate in 1860, and stumped all south of
the Arkansas River, delivering some of the best
speeches of his life. He was elected by Democrats
172
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
to the secession conveDtion, and was made cbairman
of the committee on ordinances. He was a very
prominent man and used his entire influence for
his own party. In 1861 he was appointed as com
missar^^ of the military staff of Arkansas, and was
at the battle of Oak Hill, after which failing health
compelled him to retire from army duties. He
then went to Philadelphia and was under a physi-
cian's care for seven months. Upon returning to
Pine Bluff he i-esumed his practice and this he has
since continued. In 1880 he was a candidate for
the office of Governor, but was not nominated. As
a lawyer he has few superiors and is a fluent and
eloquent speaker. At one time he owned 15,000
acres of land and now has in his possession about
'2,000 acres. Mr. Grace was married first in May,
1853, to Miss Harriet Boyd, who was drowned
near Paducah, Ky., in December, 1863. Mr.
Grace took for his second wife Mrs. Emily B.
Hudson, whom he married in April, 1868, and to
them was bora one child, now deceased. Mr.
Grace is a Royal Arch Mason, and in 1878 he con-
nected himself with the Temperance Alliance,
having been president of the Arkansas Temper-
ance Alliance several terms. He has been an
active worker in this cause and his influence has
been felt among the Anti-Prohibitionists. He is
known throughout Arkansas as one of the best
criminal lawyers that the State produces, and his
success is almost phenomenal in this class. He has
defended and prosecuted over fifty cases of homi-
cides, and but one man was hung that he ever de-
•fended.
Uapt. Walter Greenfield was a brave soldier
and is an honest citizen. What better eulogy
could be passed upon a man who has earned those
titles in military and civil life? He was born
in Todd County, Ky., on July 4, 1833, and is a
sou of Thomas G. and Lucy (Hannah) Greenfield,
both natives of the same county and State, who
moved to Pine Bluff, Ark., in 1837, which place
they made their home for the balance of their lives,
the father dying in 1840, when thirty six years old,
and the mother in 1853, at the age of forty-seven
years. The elder Greenfield was a merchant and
one of the first men to start in business at Pine
Bluff. Under the firm name of Greenfield & Kay
he and his partner conducted the largest mercan-
tile house in that section. Both parents were
Ejiembers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In
politics the father was a Whig, and was also a
Royal Arch Mason in high standing. His father
was Thomas G. Greenfield, an old Virginian, and
one of the heroes who fought in 1812. Thomas
Greenfield was one of the earliest settlers of Ken-
tucky, coming there but a short time after Daniel
BooDe, and was an intimate associate of that noted
pioneer. The Hannah's were also a well-known
family of Kentucky and very prominent people in
Christian County. The Greenfield's were of Eng-
lish origin. To the marriage of Walter Green-
field's parents were born five children, of whom he
is the only one now living. He was educated in
Pine Bluff, Ark., and later at private schools in
Nashville, Tenn. After his school days were over
he remained with his mother until her death and
then turned his attention to farming. In 1858 he
was appointed deputy sheriff of his county, and
served creditably in that capacity until the out-
break of the Rebellion. In the spring of 1862 he
organized a company of cavalry, being chosen third
lieutenant. This was Company G of the Second
Battalion, which was afterwards reorganized with
the First Battalion and made into one, in which
he was promoted to first lieutenant. In October,
1863, he was promoted to the captaincy of Com-
pany G for brilliant action on the field, and this
position he retained until the close of the war.
Capt. Greenfield was detailed for scouting duty a
considerable part of the time, and took part in a
great many battles, operating in Northern Missis-
sippi to a great extent. In April, 1863, he was
sent out on recruiting duty, but at that time was
taken sick and unable to continue with the work
for some time. He also took part in Price's raids
through Missouri, and was foremost in every battle
during that occasion, and at Pilot Knob he had
charge of the skirmishers. Capt. Greenfield was
next at Newtonia, Kas. , and from there he went to
Pine Blnff, Ark., where he surrendered on June
8, 1865. He has had many thrilling escapes from
death, and many times narrowly got through the
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
173
clutches of the enemy, but his good fortuue at-
tended him all through and he yet lives to tell the
tale. In 1875-76 he was appointed collector and
filled that office, together with the position of
sheriff, to the satisfaction of all parties concerned.
Farming has been his business ever since the war,
and he now owns 700 acres of good land with the
principal part of it under cultivation, all of which
he has made since that event, the war having left
him practically bankrupt. In December Capt.
Greenfield was married to Miss Mary C. Embree,
a daughter of Israel Embree, an old settler of
Jefferson County. Mrs. Greenfield was born June
29, 1844, and by her marriage became the mother
of six children: Lucy M. , Gordon E., John T. ,
Maggie F., Mary W. and Carrie. The Captain is
a Knight Templar and Knight of Pythias, besides
belonging to several other fraternities. In politics
he is a Democrat and a leader in political affairs as
well as social and business matters. His soq Gor-
don is also prominent in Knight of Pythias circles.
W. B. Greenfield, farmer. Pine Bluff, Ark.
It is doubtless owing entirely to the indus-
trious and persevering manner with which Mr.
Greenfield has adhered to the pursuit of agriculture
that he has risen to such a substantial position in
farm affairs in this county. His birth occurred
in Jefferson County, Ark., on Feliruary 11, 1849,
and he is the son of J. W. and Matilda (Bogy)
Greenfield. The elder Greenfield was born in
Tennessee, in 1821, was educated in that State,
and then went to Kentucky, but later to Arkansas,
where in 1845 he married Miss Bogy, the daughter
of Mr. E. Bogy, an old French settler. To Mr.
and Mrs. Greenfield were born eighteen children,
six sons and twelve daughters; three sons and four
daughters now living, two in this State and five in
Texas. The father is still living, and in connec-
tion with farming is also engaged in merchandising
in Texas. He is the owner of a large tract of land
and is quite well to-do. He was justice of the
peace for two years, and is now notary public.
W. B. Greenfield was educated at the Christian
Brothers' College, at St. Louis, and after returning
home married Miss Bettie T. Phillips, October 27,
1886. She was born in Arkansas, and is the daugh-
ter of John and Mary A. Taylor. To the union of
Mr. and Mrs. Greenfield was born one child, Willie,
who died Febriiary 14, 1887.
" Only a little child; pause not here to weep;
Scarcely on earth it smiled, ere it fell asleep."
Mr. Greenfield has about 1,200_ acres of good
land, with 375 acres under cultivation. He and
wife are members of the Methodist Chirrch.
William H. Hardister, who is classed among
the well known and highly respected planters of
this county, was born in North Carolina in 1845,
being the son of Asbury and Cyntha Ann (Cram-
ford) Hardister, natives of North Carolina. The
former's ancestors were formerly from Maryland,
and came to the Carolinas with the early settlers.
The father was the youngest of his family, and a
farmer by occupation, his death occurring in the
sixty-sixth year of his age. The mother died in
1866, at the age of fifty. To them were born
ten children, of whom all but one lived to be grown,
but only four now survive. William H. , the
seventh son, was reared in North Carolina until
the age of twenty-three, when he came to Arkan-
sas and located at Garrison Landing, there engag-
ing in farming. He afterward went to Mtid Lake,
and in 1876 came to his present location, on what
is known as Elm Grove farm, since which time he
has put the place in a good state of cultivation,
working 200 acres. At the beginning of the late
war he enlisted in the Sixth North Carolina Cav-
alry and served until the close, receiving not the
slightest wound. In 1875 Mr. Hardister married
Miss Nettie Cramford, a daughter of O. P. Cram-
ford, of South Carolina, who came to Arkansas
long before the war and settled in this county,
Mrs. Hardister being then a child. This union
has been blessed with two children: Cynthe A. and
Walter M. Mr. Hardister politically is a Democrat.
He has on his place a large cotton gin and supply
store, and is recognized as a man who has given
decided influence to the progress and development
of this section. As a citizen he is held in great
esteem.
Col. George Haycock, capitalist, one of the
best known men in Central Arkansas, whose genius
of enterprise has made him one of the bulwarks of
174
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
the tinancial world, is a native of Ciocinnati, Ohio,
born in October, 1828, and is a son of Hamilton
and Eunice (Bales) Haycock. The father was of
Irish origin and the mother of American parent-
age, they being married in New York State. From
there they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, at an early
day, where the father was engaged in contracting
along the banks of the Miama River. In 1835,
while insj^ecting some work in the Miama Canal
locks, he was drowned; the mother died some
time before in Cincinnati. They had but one son,
the principal of this sketch. He was reared in
that city, and educated in mathematics under Dr.
Ray, the compiler of Ray's arithmetic. After
leaving this instructor he attended VVoodard Col-
lege, obtaining his entire schooling from his sense
of knowing the necessity and advantage of it, and
not from being prompted to it, as his parents both
died when he was little more than a child. In
1852 he went overland to the State of California,
the trip occui:)ying several weeks, and upon reach-
ing there located in Iowa Hill, Placer County,
where he commenced mining. He also operated a
stage line in connection with the California Stage
Company, and spent fourteen years of his life in
that section. Leland Stanford, now United States
Senator and about forty times a millionaire, was in
those days an intimate friend of Col. Haycock's,
as were also many others of the pioneers of 181:9,
who are now the money kings of the Pacific Coast.
Col. Haycock was a member of the convention that
nominated Mr. A. A. Sergeant for Congress, and
also a member of the second Republican Convention
that nominated Hon. Leland Stanford for Governor.
He served four years in the army during the Civil
War, and was stationed at Los Angeles and San
Diego, as also at La Paz, Ariz. In 1865 he
returned to Cincinnati and became engaged in the
brokerage business, which he carried on until 1870,
when he came to Pine Bluff, Ark. The Colonel
resumed his brokerage business here, and also
became largely interested in planting. Some of
the largest tinancial projects in the county have
been engineered by him and brought to a success-
ful termination. In 1874 he was elected to the
State Senate, and in 1876 re-elected, but the fol-
lowing year was appointed postmaster at Pine
Bluff and resigned his seat in the Senate to accept
the post office. He held that position for five
years, and was also an alderman of Pine Bluff
fourteen years ago. He is a member of the board
of aldermen at the present time, having been
elected by a majority of 562. Col. Haycock is a
stanch supporter of the Republican party, and
one of the most brilliant politicians in Jefferson
County. He is one of the leaders of his party,
and on his election to the State Senate was the
only Republican at that time in the Senate. He
has hundreds of friends on both sides, and is one
of the most popular men in that section. The
Colonel is very original in his ideas, and is always
devising something new, and at present has placed
about twenty acres of land in tobacco as an experi-
ment, his intention being, if successful, to establish
a tobacco manufactory. He was married in 1846
to Miss Ann Knowlden, of Cincinnati, by whom he
has had five children, Charles being the only one
living.
J. W. Heliums, a prominent farmer and mer-
chant of JefPerson County, well known in the busi-
ness circles of Pine BlufF, was born in Fayette
County, Ala., in September, 1836, and is a son of
William H. and Effie (White) Heliums, of South
Carolina and Georgia, respectively. The parents
were married in Alabama, and in 1844 removed to
Tifipah Coiinty, Miss., where the father died the
following year. After his death the mother came
with her family to Drew County, Ark., and re-
sided there until her death in 1867. Two sons
and three daughters were born to the parents, of
whom the two former are the only ones yet living
! — James W. and Jacob P., the latter residing in
I Star City, Ark. James W. Heliums was partly
reared in Mississippi, where he also received his
education, and in 1858 moved with his mother to
Drew County, Ark. The following year he came
to Pine Bluff and established himself in business,
continuing with success until the Civil War com-
menced. In 1862 he left the business in charge
of his partner, and enlisted in D. W. Carroll's
company — the present chancellor — and served un-
til the surrender, holding the rank of lieutenant in
JEPPEESON COUNTY.
175
that compauy, but at the disbandment of the
troops he was captain of Company K, Logan's
Consolidated Cavahy Regiment. Capt. Heliums
was captured at Port Hudson on July 9, 1863,
some time after the battle of Vicksburg. Together
with twelve other officers he was taken on board a
vessel lying in the Mississippi, to be transferred to
Johnson's Island, but every one of the twelve
jumped overboard, and all but two succeeded in
swimming to the shore and escaped. Mr. Heliums
was among the number who gained their liberty,
while the other two were drowned. He previously
took part in the battles of Corinth, Farmington
and luka, and a number of hard skirmishes.
When the war was over he returned to Drew
County, and remained there a short time, but soon
came to Pine Bluff in order to close oiit his busi-
ness. After that was done he went back to Drew
County, and resided there until January, 1889,
when he once more came to Pine Bluff and built a
fine residence, intending to make this city his
permanent home. He owns a store at Star City
and one at Grady, both in Lincoln County, and
enjoys a large patronage, and in connection with
his commercial interests, owns about 1,000 acres
of valuable land, with a considerable amount under
cultivation, his principal crop being cotton. Mr.
Heliums was married in December, 1864, to Miss
Susie Carlton, of Alabama, by whom he has had
six children: Julius H. , Clyde E., Cora, Jennie,
Chester and Guy. His wife is a devout Christian
lady, and belongs to the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church. Mr. Heliums is a prominent member of
the Masonic fraternity, and a popular citizen of
Pine Bluff, taking an active part in all matters
that bear upon its progress and advancement.
J. F. Hicks, a fixture in the affairs of Jefferson
County, first established the Distilled Water, Ice &
Coal Company, at Pine Bluff' in 1885. Upon start-
ing this industry, he put in a five-ton machine, but
the business increased so rapidly that he was soon
forced to have a larger machine, in order to supply
the demand, and he now owns a twenty-ton ma-
chine in addition to the original one, manufactur-
ing about twenty-four tons of ice per day. The
machinery is all of the latest pattern and perfect in
its work. About one- third of the product of this
industry is kept for home consumption, while the
other two-thirds is shijjped to various markets.
Mr. Hicks is the sole proprietor of this business,
and also owns another ice factory at Marshall,
Texas. His birthplace was in Ballard County,
Ky. , and when only ten years of age he went
to Memphis, Tenn., alone, where he worked at
different employment for some time. When still
quite yoiing he occupied a subordinate position
on one of the river steamboats, applying himself
closely, until in time he was promoted to the post of
engineer, and then captain, which position he held
for thirty-five years, and in 1852 he built a steam-
boat of his own called Falcon. During his life
Mr. Hicks has built upwards of fifteen or twenty
steamboats, owning at one time about forty, among
them being the famous but ill-fated Mary Bell,
which was burned to the water's edge at Vicks-
burg, and also the steamer Frank Pargoud, which
met with the same fate above New Orleans. The
last named boat was the champion cotton carrier
on the Mississippi River, having been loaded with
the largest cargo of uncompressed cotton ever car-
ried by any other steamboat — 9,226 bales. The
writer happened to witness that event, and can re-
member the day she steamed into the levee at New
Orleans with nothing visible but the top of her
pilot house and her smoke stacks. Every space
was covered by cotton bales. It rose tier upon
tier, and the cotton on the lower deck was swept
by the river, so heavily was she loaded down. It
was a grand and imposing sight, and was observed
by thousands who thronged the water's edge to
await her coming, and rent the air with such a
rousing cheer that the sound must have been car-
ried out past the swamps to Lake Pontchartrain.
The Mary Bell was one of the' largest steamers on
the Mississippi, and in fact in the United States.
Among otlier prominent boats owned by Capt.
Hicks were the Daniel Boone, Kate Frisby, John
Simons, the latter being one of the largest boats
before the war. Capt. Hicks was one of the most
popular and experienced steamboat men that
traveled the Mississippi during his day. Since the
war he has owned the Vicksburg, Di Vernon, Ma-
176
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
jetta, Belle Lee, Henry Ames, John A. Scudder,
Carondelet, Mary Belle and Henry Frank, these
being the principal ones,^and he virtually con-
trolled the traffic between Memphis and New Or-
leans. The advent of railroads ruined the river
trade, and when fire destroyed his finest boat, the
Captain became disheartened and determined to
abandon steamboating forever, since which time
he has carried on his present business. He was
first married in 1850, to Miss Sarah Carter, by
whom he had seven childi'en, of whom four are yet
living: Ralph M. (at Marshall, Tex.), Jeff, Nellie,
and Mamie. The Captain's second marriage oc-
curred, in 1878, to Miss Anna Tally, by whom he
had one son, Frank. During his day Capt. Hicks
has been the largest steamboat owner in the coun-
try. His finest boat alone cost -f 105,000, the Mary
Bell, and only carried $50,000 insurance when she
was burned. Among other famous vessels he
owned was the Kate Miller, the first boat he was
ever master of himself; the Fittsmiller, Bluff City,
Harry Bluff, Julia, John Swazy, Martin Walt,
Excelsior and Sam Cloon. Outside of his ice
manufactory, which is one of the best paying in-
dustries in JefFerson County, he handles about 200
car loads of coal annually, and is worth consider-
able, although he has met with many reverses.
William I. Hilliard, contractor and builder,
and manufacturer of brick. Pine Bluff, Ark.
Among all classes and in every condition of life
are those who excel in whatever they undertake,
whether of a professional, agricultural or com-
mercial nature, and among those who have cleverly
demonstrated this statement is he whose name ap-
pears above. Born in Madison Parish, Louisiana,
in November, 1840, he is the son of J. C. Hilliard,
a native of Virginia. The father passed his boy-
hood days in his native State, but later went to
Ohio, where he married Miss Abigail Yeoman, a
native of New York. While in the Buckeye State
Mr. Hilliard followed the brick-making trade, and
there resided for a number of years. Later he re-
moved to Louisiana, where he carried on his former
occupation for some time, and in 1847 returned to
Ohio, locating in Cincinnati, where he still con
tinned the brick-making business. In 1854 he
went back to Louisiana, and after a residence there
of a number of years, made his home with his
son, William I. Hilliard, at Little Rock, Ark., un-
til his death, which occurred in 1884. He was a
much respected citizen, and filled a number of
local offices where he resided. His wife died in
1858. William I. Hilliard received excellent ad-
vantages for an education in the schools of Cincin-
nati and other schools, and began assisting his
father in the brickyard when a mere lad. This
business he learned very thoroughly, and is now
one of the most experienced brick- makers of Ark-
ansas. He remained with his parents until grown,
and commenced the brick business when about
eighteen years of age, at Floyd, La., but this
continued only one season, when he went to lay-
ing brick in that State. After following this
for about five years, or up to the breaking out of
the late war, he went North (Indiana) and there
remained for a short time. After that he worked
at laying brick until 1868, when he went West
to Springfield, Mo. , and there resumed laying
and making brick for two and a half years. He
moved to Little Rock, Ark., in 1872, manu-
factured brick for two seasons, and was also
engaged in contracting and laying brick. In Sep-
tember, 1886, he located at Pine Bluff, commenced
contracting and building that season, and has since
been actively occupied in that business, as the
many fine buildings in the city abundantly testify.
He lays all his own brick, and, from an average of
four kilns, manufactured about 1,200,000 this
year. He was married in Washington County,
Ark., on March 27, 1872, to Miss Emma English,
a native of Pennsylvania, and the daughter of
John and Elizabeth English. There are five chil-
dren living of this marriage: Birdie, Elizabeth,
Willie I., John and Abbie. Mr. Hilliard is a
member of the Ancient Order of Odd Fellows, and
his wife is a member of the Baptist Church.
William C. Hilliard, an enterprising farmer
i of Talladega Township, was born in Fairfield
County, S. C. , being the son of A. D. and Sa-
! villa (Woodward) Hilliard. also natives of that
j State. The father was born in 1819, and followed
I the general occupation of a merchant in the State
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
177
of his birth until the late war, his occupation
being varied until his death in 1878. He was a
Mason, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and
served as major in the late war. The mother died
in Louisiana in 1867, at the age of thirty-three
years. William C. HilHard, the subject of this
sketch, was the sixth in a family of seven children
born to his parents' union. In 1870 he came
to Drew County, Ark. , where he attended school,
and subsequently taught in adjoining counties; he
also engaged in farming, and in 1880 came to
Jefferson County, settling on the place where he
now resides, and turning his attention largely to
fruit growing, raising peaches, apples, grapes and
tigs. He has a fine farm well under cultivation,
and is known as one of the prominent citizens of
this county. He is one of the young and energetic
men in the Democratic party, and a member of the
Methodiist Episcopal Church, South. In 1885 he
married Miss Johnie Blackwell, a native of this
county; and they have three children: William W.,
Walter B. and Effie. Mrs. Hilliard's father, G. L.
Blackwell. a farmer of Jefferson County, was born
in Elbert County, Ga. , in 1834, and came to Arkan-
sas in 1808. He owns about 440 acres of good land,
175 of which are under cultivation. He has been
a Mason for thirty years, and has held the offices of
tyler and senior warden. He has also held the
office of justice of the peace for ten years. In
1862 he enlisted under Col. Bradley in the Ninth
Arkansas Regiment, but becoming ill remained in
the hospital until his discharge in 1862, at Berns-
ville. Miss. In July of that year he again entered
the service under Col Darson, of the Nineteenth
Regiment, his first hard tight being at Jenkins'
Ferry. He was discharged in 1865 at Jackson-
port, when he returned home and engaged in farm
ing. Mr. Blackwell is a member of the Baptist
Church, and is a liberal contributor to all charit-
able enterprises. November 16, 1854, he married
Ademia Pruett, a native of Georgia. She had one
child, who died in infancy, and July 26, 185U, she
departed this life. On June 28, 1860, Mr. Black-
well married Katie Griffin, of Mississippi. To this
vinion were born nine children, five of whom are
still livingf.
Capt. William K. Hocker, whose association
with the affairs of Jefferson County has given him
extensive acquaintance, is a successful planter re-
siding in Dudley Lake Township. He was born
in Richmond, Ky., on June 5, 1820, and is a son
of Nicholas and Nancy (Ellis) Hocker, of Mary-
land and Kentucky, respectively. The father
was born in 1788, and the mother in 1793.
After their marriage the parents made Madison
Cotmty, Ky., their home until the father's death,
at the age of seventy-three years, the mother
dying in 1834. The father had learned the
stone-mason's trade in his yoixth, but after the
War of 1812, he turned his attention entirely to
farming, in which he was very successful. He
began life as a poor man, but could point with
pardonable pride to the fact that by his own in-
dividual efforts he amassed considerable wealth,
and put himself in a position to be looked upon
with the greatest respect by the entire community.
He was sheriff of Madison County for one term,
and also represented that county in the legislature
for the same length of time. He was captain of a
company in the War of 1812, and also fought under
Gen. Harrison at the battle of Tippecanoe, besides
taking part in a number of other Indian fights.
He was a Whig in politics and in religion a Mis-
sionary Baptist. Thirteen children were born to
the elder Hocker and his wife, of whom four are
now living: William K. , Martha Ann (wife of
William Lackey, a farmer of Stanford, Ky.), Mary
J. (wife of T. M. Miller, a banker of Stanford,
Ky.), and Gael W'. (wife of the late Richard Gen-
try, of Sedalia, Mo.). After the death of his first
wife he was married to Miss Ryan, of Clark Coun-
ty, Ky. , this lady making him a devoted wife and
helpmate. William K. was educated at St. Mary's
College in Marion County, Ky. AVhen sixteen
years of age he thought it the proper thing to
commence in life for himself and started as a stock
dealer. Soon after he moved to Pettis County, Mo. ,
but eight years later he returned to Kentucky,
where he remained until after the war. During
that event he was in the commissary department
of the Army of the Cumberland and acted as pur-
chasing agent. After the surrender he went to
178
HISTOEY OF ARKANSAS.
Lonoke Couaty, Ark., but soon after removed from
there to Jefferson County, and immediately estab-
lished himself in business. In 1873 he gave up
his business and turned his attention to farm-
ing exclusively and has met with satisfactory suc-
cess, he and his family owning some very fine
property. In 1842 he was married to Miss Liz-
zie Feris, a daughter of Dr. Moses Feris, of
Pettis County, Mo., but lost his wife several
months after. In the year 1847 he was united
to Miss Virginia Brown, of Albemarle County,
Va. , this lady dying in 1883 in Jefferson County,
Ark. This marriage has made him the father of
seven children, of whom four are yet living: Nan-
cy (wife of Louis Simpson, a merchant of Quanah,
Texas), Lucy (wife of Dr. P. P. Trueheart, of
Sterling, Kan.), Virginia (wife of Mr. Charles
Bickett, a well-known farmer and stock dealer in
California and Kansas), and Willie K. (who lives
at home). Those deceased are Fannie S., Mary
Brown, and Nicholas. In 1885 Capt. Hocker was
married to Miss Irene Feris, of Richmond, Texas,
who has proved to be aa excellent wife. The
Captain is a member of the Christian Church, and
is always ready to give his assistance to any worthy
enterprise connected with religion or education.
He is a Democrat in politics, and in secret societies
is a Mason. At one time he was one of the most
extensive stock dealers in Kentucky, and imported
tine cattle by the hundred, but of late years he
has not given his attention to that branch of busi-
ness to any great extent. He has shown what can
be accomplished by a steadfastness of purpose, an
unceasing energy and the patience to keep steadily
on in spite of the obstacles and embarrassments to
be met with in life' s struggles. Vincit qui patifur.
Robert R. Holmes, one of the most promising
of Jefferson County's younger citizens, was born
in De Soto County, Miss., December 13, 1859,
and is a son of Dr. L. and Sarah (Herron) Holmes,
of the same county and State (the latter a daugh-
ter of Hamilton Herron, a prosperous farmer of
Shelby Coimty, Tenn.). The parents were mar-
ried in the State of their nativity, on December 9,
1857, and made De Soto County their home until
the year 1860, when they moved to Jefferson
County, Ark. , and located on the farm upon which
Robert now resides. The father was naturally
born to the profession he chose in after life, as he
always exhibited a preference for the study of med-
icine even in his boyhood. At the proper age he
attended lectures, having graduated in the literary
department of the University of Mississippi (Ox-
ford) in 1854, and subsequently in the medical de-
partment of the University of Pennsylvania in
1857, and after graduating he commenced to
practice in his native State. On his arrival in
Arkansas he entered actively into his profession,
and attained a celebrity that extended not only
through Arkansas but in some of the surrounding
States. He rose to an eminence that was as envi-
able as it was deserved, and his brilliant record in
the medical archives of Arkansas are emulated by
many. Dr. Holmes was also engaged in farming,
and at the time of his death, which occurred Decem-
ber 3, 1886, of swamp fever, he owned about 1,000
acres of valuable land. He was a good business
man, a favorite in society and popular with all
classes, and on his death the county lost one of its
most valuable citizens. He was a Mason (by which
body he was buried in Bellwood Cemetery, Pine
Bluff), and in politics was a Democrat. The Doctor
and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, and both gave substantial aid to
many worthy enterprises connected with church and
educational affairs. They were the parents of nine
children, of whom five are yet living: Robert R.,
Lula (who married February 20, 1884, John A. Hud-
son, a prosperous farmer of Jefferson County), Ad-
die. Sallie and Ida Lee. Those deceased are Mary
and Finley (infants), and O. Renty, aged eight-
een years, who died October 4, 1880, a promising
son. He was truly a young man of model worth,
temperate in all his habits, unselfish, morally in-
clined, full of tenderest affection and a fond and
obedient child, in short endowed with so many ex-
cellencies of mind, manners and heart that he was
loved and respected by all who knew him. Katie,
nine years old, died September 22, 1887; she was
the youngest child and the pet and joy of the
household, death claiming her just nine months
after her father. Robert R. received his educa-
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
179
tion in De Soto County, Miss. , and at Pine Bluff,
Ark., learning the higher branches at the latter
place under Prof. Jordan. Upon reaching his
twentieth year, the management of his father's
plantation was entrusted to him, and since then
he has given it his entire attention. Under his
judicious management it has been greatly im-
proved ; new houses erected and a cotton gin built,
and he has displayed by more ways than one that
he is the right man in the right place. In politics
he is a Democrat and active in his support of that
party. He is regarded with favor by every bus-
iness man in the community who have recognized
his enterprising spirit, and his popularity is as
flattering as it is genuine.
B. C. Hubbard, M. D. , is a citizen of whom
Jefferson County can feel proud, and an honor to
the medical profession. He was born in Camp-
bellville. Green County, Ky. , and is a son of
James M. and Sophia (Gaddie) Hubbai'd, natives
of the same county and State. The father was
born in 1806 and the mother in 1804, and were
both members of the Baptist Church for a great
many years. The elder Hubbard was a tanner by
trade, and also engaged in farming, conducting
both occupations with such judiciousness that he
became very successful. In politics he was a
Whig, and well known in political circles through-
out his native State. He died in Campbellville in
the year 1876, and the mother in 1856. Five chil-
dren were born to their marriage, of whom B. C.
Hubbard was the oldest, and with two others, are
the only ones now living: George G. (a prominent
physician at Munfordville, Ky.), and John P. (a
farmer near the same town). Those deceased are
Daniel and Margaret. B. C. Hubbard was edu-
cated at the public and high schools of his native
place, and on leaving school entered his father's
establishment for the purpose of learning the tan-
ner's trade. He followed this calling until 185^3,
and then went to Lewis County, Mo. , locating
near Monticello, where he remained one year. At
the expiration of that time he returned to Camj)-
bellville, Ky. , and entered into the tanning busi-
ness for a short time on his own account. He
afterward moved to Marion County, and located
near Bradfordville, continuing in business until
1860. In 1857 he commenced the study of medi-
cine, and in 1859-60 attended the Medical Uni-
versity of Kentucky at Louisville, where he gradu-
ated in March of the latter year. Dr. Hubbard
then located at Williamstown, Mo., for one year,
and then moved to Canton in the same State, where
he remained until 1866. That year he came to
Arkansas Post, Arkansas County, Ark., and prac-
ticed in that vicinity for two years, when he then
moved to his present location, where he has built
up a large practice and become one of the most
prominent citizens in that section. When first
starting in life, the Doctor had but very little
worldly wealth, comparatively speaking, but his
energy, skill and determination soon placed him on
a plane where he could look at the world strug-
gling beneath him. In the year 1854 he was mar
ried in Lewis County to Miss Nancy C. Lillard, a
daughter of James M. Lillard, prominent in busi-
ness circles at that place. This marriage gave
them one child: Pattie M. (wife of Judge Alfred
Witey, of Lincoln County, Ky. ), but this daugh-
ter died in 1884. For a short time during the
Civil War Dr. Hubbard had charge of the Char-
ity Post Hospital, and conducted that institu-
tion with great credit to himself. In 1868 he was
elected county and probate judge of Arkansas
County, serving until 1872. In politics he is a
stanch Republican, and a valuable man whenever
he works for the interests of that party. Dr.
Hubbard is a Mason of high standing, and in re-
ligious faith belongs to the Missionary Baptist
Church. His skill in the medical profession, his
many per.sonal qualities, and being a thorough
gentleman, have made him one of the most popular
men in his county.
John A. Hudgens, one of the best known citi-
zens of Jefferson County, and a substantial planter,
was born in Pine Bluff, in 1843. He is a son of
Ambrose and Eliza (Irwin) Hudgens, of Texas and
Tennessee, respectively. The father was born in
Texas, in the year 1814, and moved with his
parents to Arkansas in 1826, locating in Jefferson
County, where he resided until 1869, when he
moved to Lincoln County. He was a farmer and
180
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
blacksmith, bringing both occupations up to the
finest points of perfection. The elder Hudgens
had a remarkable memory, and could speak
fluently five different Indian languages. His edu-
cation was of the best, and obtained through his own
exertions at home. He was known far and wide as
a hunter of great prowess, but in later years, when
the country became more thickly populated and
game was thinned out, the chase lost its excite-
ment, and his trusty rifle was hung upon the
wall for good. He was highly respected by the
citizens of Jefferson County during his residence
there, and was elected by them to represent the
county for one term in the legislature. He was
also commissioner of improvements, justice of the
peace, and held various other public offices, with
the dignity and wisdom that elicited the pro-
foundest respect. As a business man he made a
success. Although a heavy loser by the late war,
his tact and ability placed him on an independent
basis, he having regained as much after that event
as he had before. Mr. Hudgens was a spiritualist,
and in politics a Democrat. During the rebellion
his sympathies were with the South from beginning
to eud. The family ou both sides are of Eaglish
descent, the mother being a daughter of Major
David Irwin, a famous soldier in the Revolutionary
War. After the death of his first wife the elder
Hudgens was married to Miss Jane Derresseaux,
of Arkansas, this lady dying in June, 1868, and
in 1869 he was married to Mrs. (Adkins) Brewster,
of Tennessee. Three children were born to him
by his first marriage, of whom John A., the prin-
cipal of this sketch, is the only one now living, the
two deceased being Mary and David W. ; the latter
was a lieutenant in the Confederate army, and
lost his life at Vicksburg while gallantly defend-
ing his battery. Mr. Hudgens had no children by
his second marriage, but two were born to the last,
William and Jacob. Ambrose Hudgens died June
13, 1889, in his seventy sixth year. John A. re-
ceived his education in his native county, and
passed his life in a quiet, uneventful manner, until
the year 1861, when he enlisted in the Confeder-
ate army, becoming a member of Capt. McNally's
company, in the Fifteenth Arkansas Infantry, and
taking part in the battles of Shiloh and several
others of lesser note. After two years' service he
was transferred to the ordnance department, and
had charge of the manufacture of ammunition at
Arkadelphia, Ark., and Marshall, Tex., a position
in which he distinguished himself . In May, 1865,
he returned to Jefferson County, which place he
has made his home ever since. After leaving the
army he was left almost penniless, but his deter-
mined spirit and firmness of purpose led him on
like the hero of Excelsior, and now he can look
proudly down from his present prosperity and feel
satisfied in the reflection that it was his own indus-
try, toil and perseverance that have brought him
where he is. Mr. Hudgens owns about 600 acres
of the best land in Central Arkansas, and has
placed about 300 acres under cultivation. In 1882
he commenced in business, which he actively con-
tinued until the latter part of 1886. On Sep-
tember 6, 1866, he was married to Miss Frankie
Franklin, of Bradley County, Ark., by whom he
has had six children: Luma (wife of John A.
Pierce, a prominent farmer of this county), John
A. (at home), Otelia (who died in her sixteenth
year), Calla (at home), Willie, and Fannie. Mrs.
Hudgens is a devout. Christian woman, and an in-
defatigable worker for the church. Her husband
is allied with the Denlocracy, and is a valuable
man to that party in his section. He is very
popular in both social and business circles, and is
held in high esteem.
Hon. James A. Hudson is one of the substan-
tial men of this State, and one of the old settlers
and prominent citizens of Jefferson County. He
is a native of Georgia, having been born in Jan-
uary, 1817, in Petersburg, and is one of three sons
who blessed the union of Charles and Lucy (Mc-
Gehee) Hudson, natives of Virginia. Charles Hud-
son, a merchant, died in Alabama when our subject
was an infant; his wife subsequently returned to
her father's home, and there James grew to man-
hood. In 1830, the mother with her three boys,
James, Lawrence and Marion (now deceased), set-
tled near Memphis, and fourteen years later moved
to Jefferson County, Ark., where she died in
1872, at the age of seventy-seven. Marion died in
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
181
this county in 1862, and Lawrence in Tennessee
about 1839. James A. Hudson, after arriving in
Arkansas, made the first entry of land recorded in
this part of the county, and commenced opening
up a farm. In 1848 or 1819 he settled on the
place which he now occupies, where he has 600
acres under cultivation, owning upward of 8,000
acres in Jefferson, Grant, Lincoln and Cleveland
Counties. In 1850 he put up a gin, and in 1883
built a new gin, saw and grist mill. He has been
one of the most successful men of this community.
He has also been engaged in general merchandis-
ing, and in 1874 took $25,000 worth of shares in
what is now the Merchant & Planters' Bank at
Pine BlufF, but which at that time was conducted
under the firm name of Smart, Hudson & Co. In
1887 he sold his interest in that concern, but has
since taken other interests to the amount of 15, 000.
Some time before the war Mr. Hudson was com-
missioned postmaster of Locust Cottage, which
office he has since held, with the exception of a
short term. In 1860 he was elected to the legis-
lature, and re-elected in 1878, having no opposition
and receiving every vote that was polled in the
county, excepting twenty-nine. In 1840, while in
Tennessee, Mr. Hudson married Nancy Gillespie,
who died in 1867. To them were born ten chil-
dren: Lucy J. Hunter (died in 1888), James M.
(of Pine Bluff), Mary E. Smart (of Pine Bluff),
Mattie V. Crawford (of the same place), Marion A.,
John A., Mrs. Isabella Hogg, and Walter C. (de-
ceased). Walter was a graduate from a well known
educational institution of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. , and
died soon after returning home. Mr. Hudson's
second marriage was to Mrs. Mary R. Ingraham,
widow of Benjamin F. Ingraham. They have one
son, Freddie M. , attending school at Lexington,
Va. , whose object in life is to become a lawj'er.
Mrs. Hudson is a member of the Alethodist Epis-
copal Church, South, as is also her husband. He
al.so belongs to the A. F. & A. M. , and is a con-
servative Democrat. Mr. Hudson is a self-made
man, and active in the interest of schools, having
been school director for years. His entire career
reflects credit upon himself, for in every position
in life his actions have been above reproach.
Dr. A. H. Ingram, retired, in former times one
of the most skillful physicians in Jefferson County,
was born in Mecklenburg County, N. C, on the
13th of December, 1821, and was a son of John M.
and Rebecca (Harris) Ingram, natives of the same
State, of Scotch origin. The father was born
August 21, 1794, and the mother September 16,
1796. Both grandparents vrere soldiers in the
Revolutionary War, in which Solomon Harris, the
maternal grandfather, was wounded and captured
at the battle of Cowpen but never incarcerated.
The grandparents passed the remainder of their
days in North Carolina, Joseph Ingram, the pater-
nal grandfather, dying in his chair, of apoplexy,
when in his seventy-sixth year. His wife died
when forty-two years old. John M. Ingram was
a farmer, which calling was followed by almost
every one of the male members on both sides of
the family. In 1856 he moved to Jefferson County,
Ark., with his family and slaves, making the en-
tire trip in wagons. On arriving he first located
in Talladega Township, which now forms a portion
of Cleveland County, and bought claims, upon
which he began cultivating the land and resided
until his death, in 1858, his wife following him
the next year. Five sons were born to them, of
whom Dr. A. H. Ingram is the only survivor. One
of the sons, Benjamin F. , was killed at the battle
of Shiloh; Joseph J. commanded a battalion dur-
ing the Civil War, and died after that event, as did
also John and Thomas. A. H. Ingram, the sub-
ject of this sketch, was reared and educated in
Mecklenburg County, N. C. , attending the David-
son College at that place, only lacking two months
of graduating when he was taken sick, remaining
an invalid for two years. During his illness be read
medicine, and in 1845 graduated from the Medical
College of Charleston, S. C, commencing his prac-
tice in Anson County, N. C. He remained here
until 1857, and then moved to Jefferson County,
Ark. , locating on the plantation adjoining that of
his father. He resided here only a short time,
and then moved to Sulphur Springs, where he re-
mained until 1880, with the exception of two years
at Pine Bluff. In 1880 be returned to the latter
city, and has resided here ever since. For the
182
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
past fifteen years Dr. Ingram has been practically
retired from his profession, and turned his atten-
tion almost entirely to farming, his agricn.ltural
interests being quite extensive. He owns about
4,000 acres of productive land, and has placed
some 500 acres under cultivation, besides raising
a quantity of fine fruit. Owning considerable real
estate, from which the rentals form a splendid in-
come, he is thus enabled to pass the remainder of
his days in comfort after a busy career. Dr. In-
gram was married in 1845 to Miss Caroline P.
Steele, of Montgomery County, N. C. , by whom
he has had five children, three of them yet living:
Anna, Mattie, and J. S. He has been a member
of the Masonic fraternity since 1854, and as a cit-
izen is one of the most pojiular and respected men
in the community.
Richard B. Jackman is one of the prominent
citizen of Jefferson County who have passed away
within the last few years. He was born in Ken-
tucky in 1830, and came to Arkansas with his
parents when seven or eight years of age, locating
at Richland, but afterward settled on the land
where his widow now resides. In his youthful
days young Jackman studied medicine and at-
tended lectiires at Louisville, Ky., with the inten-
tion of ultimately adopting that profession, but find-
ing that his preference had undergone a change
after completing his studies, he turned his atten-
tion almost exclusively to farming, and only gave
the benefit of his knowledge in medicine to a few
of his most intimate friends when they required
it. During the war he served in the Confederate
Army, and held the rank of lieutenant, taking
part in a great many important engagements and
performing his duty with distinction. Mr. Jack-
man was married three times, his first wife being
Miss Sarah Moore. After her death he was mar-
ried to Miss Lydia Lemon, whose death occurred
some years later. His third wife was Miss Martha
Lemon, a daughter of Robert Leinon, of Tenn-
essee, who died in Arkansas in 1806. His wife
was born in Fayette County, Tenn., in 1843,
and moved with her parents to Jefferson County,
Ark., in 1860. By the first marriage Mr. Jack-
man became the father of ten children, four of
whom survive: Richard, Estelle (wife of Mr. Beck-
with, a prominent merchant of Jefferson County),
Shelby, and Julia (wife of W. O. Coleman, a noted
inachinist of Alabama). By his second marriage
only one of two children born is living, Frederick E.,
who resides at home. His last marriage gave him
Edith and Hugh, who also reside at home. Mr.
Jackman was a prominent Mason and helped to
organize many lodges during his busy life. In
politics he was a Democrat, and a man upon whom
that party placed the greatest reliance. He was a
popular citizen and a liberal supporter of all worthy
enterprises, and left a large circle of friends to
mourn his death. Mrs. Jackman still resides on
the plantation, consisting of 240 acres of valuable
land seven miles north of Pine Bluff, and is a
favorite with all her friends. She is a member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
James L. Johnson, one of the oldest living
residents of Jefferson County, was born in the
Dominion of Canada in 1811, and is perhaps
better versed in this county's history than any
other citizen, having, as an early settler of Pine
Bluff, built the first frame house in that place.
He came to the State of Arkansas in 1835. His
parents were Thomas and Mary (Blair) Johnson,
natives of Long Island and Prince Edward's Is-
land, the former of whom located in New Bruns-
wick, and engaged in exporting timber and lum-
ber. In his later life he was a very prominent
man, having been appointed judge of the appel-
late court. In this family were five sons and two
daughters, and of these the subject of this sketch
is now the only survivor. At the age of fourteen
James L. was sent to Nova Scotia, where he served
four years as apprentice learning the trade of car-
penter and joiner, and at the age of twenty-two he
started out for himself, landing in New York City,
where he worked for several years. Going thence
to New Orleans, he remained a short time, and
later came up the river to Little Rock, finally
reaching Pine Bluff" s present site, in 1835, where
he commenced working at his trade. But little
inducement was offered for him to stop here, so he
left and went up the Ohio River to Madison, Ind.,
but after a short time again found himself in Pine
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
183
Bluff. la October, 1839, be went to Swan Lake,
Arkansas County, locating on a tract of land cov-
ered with heavy timber and cane, and on the spot
where his home now stands he killed his first deer,
despatching also a bear near by. There were only
two settlers near him at that time. Mr. Johnson
has since devoted himself to clearing his land and
working at his trade, besides putting up gins for
miles around In 1848 he built his present resi-
dence, and the same year married Harrisynthe
Racine, daughter of Athonas Racine, who married
and raised his family in Arkansas. Mrs. Johnson
was born at the Post of Arkansas, and died in
1885 at the age of sixty eight. They had two
daughters: Mary (the wife of O. M. Spellman, re-
cently appointed by President Harrison, United
States marshal of this district), and Fannie, who is
at home. When in New York Mr. Johnson joined
the Odd Fellows, and was a Ma.son several years
ago. He has taken some part in politics; was an
old line Whig, and during the war was in sympathy
with the Union cause. Though a sufferer from
paralysis, he is engaged in planting and general
merchandising, and by virtue of his long residence
here as well as his true worth, enjoys a wide and
favorable acquaintance.
W. D. Johnson, ex-judge and real-estate agent,
Pine Bluff, Ark., and a representative citizen, is a
native of Fayette County, Ala. , where he was born
January 12, 1828. He is a son of Col. Greef
and Mary (Heliums) Johnson, the father a native
of South Carolina and the mother of Tennessee.
They were married near Knoxville, and a short
time afterward, in 1807, crossed into Alabama,
locating in Madison County, and being among the
pioneers of that region. Col. Greef Johnson fol-
lowed the occupation of a farmer in several coun-
ties of Alabama, and in December, 1859, made his
way to Pine Bluff', Ark., where both he and his
wife passed their last days. He was a captain
in the War of 1812, under Gen. Jackson, and was
afterward colonel of the militia in Alabama. He
was a powerfully built man and considered a very
handsome one. He held the office of county judge
in Mississippi, and also many other offices of pub-
lie trust duringr his life. To his marriage were
born twelve children— four sous and eight daugh-
ters-only two now living: Mrs. Susan Ferguson
(a resident of Gonzales County, Texas), and W.
D. Johnson (of Pine Bluff). The latter was but
five years of age when he accompanied his parents
to Mississppi, and in that State he received the
principal part of his education, being also early
taught the duties on the farm. He was married in
1847 to Miss Elizabeth Womack, in Yalobusha
County, Miss. , and by her became the father of
six children, four now alive: Sallie (wife of William
E. Sallee), Dora (wife of L. T. Sallee), John N.
and Robert L. Johnson. After marriage Mr. John-
son was engaged in merchandising for four years,
when he was made deputy sheriff of Yalobusha
County, Miss. , and filled this position to the satis-
faction of all. In 1850 he moved to Pine Bluff',
Ark. , where he followed the livery business, and
was also occupied in the liquor business a short
time, after which he kept books about one year.
He was then deputy clerk for three years, and in
1860 was appointed notary public, the first one to
represent the county in that capacity. The same
year he was elected mayor of the city, but still
held his position of de])uty clerk, and was in full
charge of this office when the Federals took pos-
session of the place in 1863. Judge Johnson
studied law both before and after the war, admit-
ted to the bar in August, 1805, and has continued
his practice ever since, being for some time in the
office of Gen. Yell, the noted criminal lawyer, and
afterward a j^artner of Col. W. P. Grace for seven
years. Aside from his law jjractice. Judge John-
son is engaged extensively in the real estate busi-
ness, and in 1867 and 1868 was prosecuting attor-
ney for the city, and a part of the time for the dis-
trict. He was disfranchised by the reconstruction
acts of 1868, and enfranchised again in 1872 by
special act of Congress. In 1878 he was elected
county and probate judge, and re elected in 1880
and 1882. At pre,sent he is handling a vast amount
of real estate, and is doing the largest business in
this line of any real estate firm in the city. He
also owns considerable town property. He lost
his wife in January, _ 1865, and was again married
at Pine Bluff, Ark. , in November, 1865, to Miss
184
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
Carrie O. Hairston, who lived but four months and
sis days after her marriage. The Judge then took
for his third wife Miss Bettie Hartin, to whom he
was united in Yalobusha County, Miss., in Octo-
ber, 1S66, and by this union became the father
of two daughters: Grace (a teacher in the city
high school), and Joe Johnson. In 1867 Judge
Johnson was appointed assignee ia the first bank
rupt case in Jefferson County, and was afterward
appointed in 186 cases as assignee, settling them
nj> to the satisfaction of all concerned and the
court. In this particular the Judge has no supe-
rior and can tell to-day when asked the amount of
each piece of property sold by him and who bought
the same, and has a record of each. He cast his
first vote in 1851 for Jeff Davis for Governor of
Mississippi, and has always been a Democrat in
his political views. He is a Royal Arch Mason
and a Knight of Honor.
Dr. Samuel J. Jones. This is a name readily
recognized by all, and one which stands out promi-
nently in the annals of Jefferson County. Dr.
Jones was born in Limestone County, Ala., De-
cember 6, 1822, and died August 3, 1881. He
was a son of Hardaman Jones, a merchant of
Huntsville, Ala. , arid Jane (Jordan) Jones, of Vir-
ginia nativity, both of whom went to Alabama when
children, with their parents. Grandfather Jones
lived to be very old, and died in Florida. The
father of our subject died in middle life at Himts-
ville, his wife having preceded him several years.
After his parents" death, Dr. Jones was reared by
his grandparents, Capit. Samuel Jordan and wife,
old pioneers in Alabama. Samuel, the only son
of wealthy parents, was kept in school in early
life in Virginia, subsequently being sent to Yale
College, and in 1851 graduated from the Medical
College of Baltimore, Md. He practiced his pro-
fession at Paint Rock, Jackson County, till 1860,
when he removed to Arkansas, reaching Rob Roy
steamboat landing on December 9 of that year.
From that time until his death. Dr. Jones devoted
himself to his family and professional duties, in
which latter he was acknowledged to be one of the
most prominent as he was one of the most success-
ful in the county. He was a member of the Epis-
copal Church. Personally of a kind and affec-
tionate disposition, and very charitable, he was be-
loved by a large circle of friends. He was active
in the church and Sunday-school, and when the
owner of 150 slaves provided them with a minister
and gave them the privilege to attend church regu-
larly. During the war he sympathized with the
South, though not in favor of secession, but owing
to ill health took no active part in that controversy.
He was not very pronounced in politics, but was a
member of the A. F. & A. M. December 20,
1847, Dr. Jones married his cousin, Virginia A.
Jones, of Quincy, Fla. , daughter of Dr. S. F.
Jones, builder of the first house, and one of the
first settlers in that city. Mrs. Jones' father was
a prominent physician and much esteemed as a
friend, knowing no difference between rich or
Door. He was a noble-hearted man, and while not
a church member, he believed in the Bible and in
the Christian religion. He died at Key West,
Fla. , November 1, 1856. To Dr. Samuel J. Jones
and his wife were born two children : Samuel (who
died in infancy), and Edna J. (now the wife of
Thomas H. Collier, one of the leading planters of
this county). Mrs. Jones still lives on the home
place, where she superintends a farm of over 1,400
acres, about 500 of which are under cultivation.
She has been a member of the Episcopal Church
since the age of fourteen years, and is a lady of
refined and educated tastes, having attended school
in Baltimore, Md. She was born December 20,
1829.
Hon. Met L. Jones, one of the leading attor-
neys of Jefferson County, wa.s born in Hardeman
County, Tenn. , on June 2, 1840, and is a son of
Dr. William Jones, of Virginia, whose father,
Leonard Jones, was also a native of the same
State and of English descent. Dr. William Jones
was one of the pioneers of Hardeman County and
accumulated considerable fortune in that place.
In 1862 he moved to Memphis and practiced his
profession in that city until 1873, when he was
i stricken with yellow fever and died at the age of
fifty-five years. He was a man of gieat energy,
and a' thorough student, being one of the most
scholarly men of his time, and was almost entirely
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
185
devoted to his profession. His wife, before her
marriage, was Miss Naomi Robertson, a daughter
of Col. Charles Robertson, of North Carolina,
who commanded a regiment under Gen. Jackson
at the battle of New Orleans. Met L. Jones passed
his boyhood days on a farm and remained with his
parents until seventeen years old. He then at-
tended Woodland Academy, a select institution
founded by Prof.Gwynn, and from there he went to
Andrews College at Trenton, Tenn. , and remained
until his nineteenth year. Upon leaving college
he went to Savannah, Tenn., and studied law for
two years under the supervision of Judge Elijah
Walker and C. S. Robertson, the latter an uncle.
He next located at Hampton, Calhoun County,
Ark. , where he practiced his profession from May,
1860, to May, 1861, the date of the State's seces-
sion, and from there went to Wilcox County,
Ala., where he remained until joining the Fourth
Alabama Regiment, and then hurried on to the
battle of Manassas. He continued with the army
in Virginia until the surrender, with the excep-
tion of four months spent in the Trans-Mis-
sissippi department, taking part in the battles at
Bull Run, Manassas, at the capitulation of Har
per's Ferry, Seveu Pines, Mechaniesville, White
Oak Swamp, Chickahominy, Malvern Hill, Sharps-
burg and Gettysburg, and at the second battle of
Manassas he was wounded in the head by a minie
ball which has left a permanent indenture in the
skull. He was again wounded at the battle of
Malvern Hill by a bullet in the thigh which yet
remains in his body. Mr. Jones first entered the
army as a private, but his gallant actions in battle
won for him the rank of first lieutenant of Com-
pany C, Fourth Alabama Regiment, then major
of his regiment and later on lieutenant-colonel,
afterward being appointed to stafF duty in the
department of Henrico, Va. While at Malvern
Hill he commanded a squadron, and at Gettys-
burg his service was strictly that of a soldier in
the Army of Northern Virginia. After the war
was over he returned to Hampton and resumed
his practice in Calhoun and the adjoining coun-
ties, his clientage being one of the largest in
that section of Arkansas. He remained here until
January, 1870, and then, in order to place better
facilities before his children in the way of social,
educational and religious matters, he moved to
Pine BlufP, and in 1872 formed a partnership with
Judge William M. Harrison. Two years later the
latter gentleman was elected to the supreme bench,
which necessitated a dissolution of the firm. In
1874 he entered into jiartnership with Judge David
W. Carroll, which continued until 1878, when the
latter was elected to the office of state chancellor,
since which time Mr. .Tones has practiced alone. He
has always been in the front rank of his profession,
and has in every instance relied upon his own
judgment in every case he has handled, and in-
stead of committing his clients to other lawyers,
has followed their cases up to the Supreme bench
in person. In all complicated matters he has
striven to adjust differences without having re-
course to the courts, and has settled a great many
important cases with serious detriment to his own
purse temporarily. He has never had an opposing
counsel to ask his indulgence in a ease but what
he has granted it, unless seriously conflicting with
his client's interests. While making law his prin-
cipal business, Mr. Jones has paid some attention
to farming, and owns several large tracts of land,
rendering him, financially, one of the most solid
men of the State. In politics he is a Democrat and
a leader among his party. He was a presidential
elector for Seymour, and a delegate at large from
Arkansas to the National Democratic Convention
at St. Louis in 1876, as also at every State conven-
tion since the war. In 1866-67 he served as a
member of the House of Representatives, but it is
against his nature to seek public office, being de-
voted to his law library and the quiet of domestic
life. Mr. Jones was married near Camden on
August 27, 1860, to Miss Rebecca Roberts, of
Wilcox County, Ala., a daughter of Alfred Rob-
erts, one of the largest planters of that State.
Mrs. Jones is a member of the Presbyterian
Church, and an earnest, devoted Christian, while
her husband, although not a member of any par-
ticular church, is a believer in the Bible and its
teachings. Four children have been born to their
union: William, Stella, Nona and Met L., in
186
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
■whom the parents take great pride, and are giving
them the best education to be obtained. In secret
societies Mr. Jones is a member of I. O. O. F.,
Knights of Honor, Knights of the Golden Rule,
Forresters and Royal Arcanum.
Arch Ledbetter, a successful planter and well-
known citizen of Jefferson County, was born in
Madison County, Ala., May 23, 1837. and is a
son of Asa and Elizabeth (Skelton) Ledbetter, of
Georgia. The father was born in the year 1801
and the mother in 1790, their marriage occurring
in their native State. Shortly after that event
they moved to Alabama and settled in Madison
County, but changed their location again to Mar-
shall County, where they resided until the father's
death in 1855 and the mother's in 1858. Both
were members of the Methodist Church, and pious,
Christian people. The father was a Democrat in
politics and a prominent man in Marshall County,
where he followed farming for an occupation.
They were the parents of a large family of chil-
dren, of whom Arch Ledbetter was the youngest,
and the only one now living. After his father's
death, which occurred when Arch was seventeen
years old, the latter commenced farming for him-
self on rented land. Industry was one of the vir-
tues that had been instilled in the young man by
his father, and his teaching bore fruit, as is wit-
nessed by the son's after career. At the end of
one year he was united in marriage to Mrs. Mar-
garet I. Ricketts, of Tennessee, who became the
mother of four children: J. B., T. L.. M. T. and
W. D. , all residing at home. Mrs. Ledbetter was
born in 1824, and died. in 1889 at her husband's
home in Jefferson County, Ark. Mr. Ledbet-
ter continued to reside in Alabama until the year
1869, when he moved with his family to Jeffer-
son County, Ark., and commenced farming and
raising stock. In connection with this he now
operates a cotton gin and grist-mill, and owns one
of the best farms in the county. His success is
assured, and it is certainly deserved, for his busi-
ness ability and good management have placed
him in an independent position from a commence-
ment with almost nothing. In July, 1889, he
was married to Mrs. Mollie L. Dickinson, of Dal-
las County, Ark., a charming widow, and daugh-
ter of James S. Gibson. This union gave them
one child: Calista O. Mr. Ledbetter is a member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and is
steward of his congregation. In politics he is a
Democrat, and has given his party considerable
aid by using his influence in their behalf. He is
a prominent figure in all social affairs of his com
munity. and is much respected.
Robert I. Lemon, one of the leading citizens
of Jefferson County and a prominent planter, was
born in Fayette County, Tenn., July 15, 1848,
and is a son of Robert and Martha (Danzy)
Lemon, of Virginia and Tennessee, respectively,
although the mother's parents were natives of the
former State and left it about the time of their
daughter's birth. They resided in Fayette County,
Tenn., where Robert Lemon met and won his
wife, and there remained until their removal to
Arkansas in 1860, locating in Jefferson County.
The following year the mother died, and in 1866
the father also passed away, both dying believers in
the Methodist faith. The father was a successful
farmer, and while in Tennessee held several prom
inent public offices. He came to the State of Ark-
ansas not with the intention of remaining, but to
pass through and settle in Texas, but the war
breaking out at that time prevented him going any
further, and finding the soil and climate every
way suitable he concluded to locate. During the
war his sympathies were with the Union, but he
remained neutral as far as possible. He and his
wife were the parents of seven children, of whom
Robert I. was the sixth; five are yet living. Rob-
ert was educated at Pine Bluff, and after his
father's death commenced in life for himself. He
had learned the carpenter's trade, and went to
Washington and Benton Counties, following that
occupation for three years. At the end of that
time he returned to Jefferson Couoty, which has
since been his home. Having in the meantime
given part of his attention to farming, in 1870 he
found that his success would necessitate his devot-
ing his entire time to that calling. He now owns
800 acres of fertile land, all made by the sweat of
his own brow and good management. On June
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
187
3, 1877, he was married to Miss Cornelia East, a
daughter of A. H. East, of Jefferson County, but
was parted from his wife in 1885, who died, leav-
ing four children: Edward H. , Charles N., Lydia
J. and R. I. They also lost one child, who died
in infancy. On February 10, 1887, he was mar-
ried to Mrs. Callie V. Harrel, an amiable and
charming widow lady, and a daughter of James
H. Griffin, of Fayette County, Tenn. This lady's
former husband was Mr. Jacob Harrel, a prom-
inent citizen of Jeit'erson County. Both Mr. and
Mrs. Lemon are members of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, South, and earnest Christian people.
Mr. Lemon is a Mason, and in politics a Democrat.
His popularity and prosperity could not have fallen
on a man more worthy, and the high estimation the
community place upon his citizenship has been
well earned.
Capt. Sam Lindsay is very familiar to the citi-
zens of Jefferson County. The name rej^resents
a plaater and merchant of Pastoria, whose enter-
prise is almost proverbial in the surrounding coun-
try. He was born in Pine Bluff, Ark., in 1840,
and is a son of William H. and Catharine (Coch-
ran) Lindsay, of Virginia and Kentucky, respect-
ively. In his youth the father had been appren-
ticed to a tanner, and upon leaving his native State
in 1836, and arriving at Pine Bluff, Ark., he es-
tablished a business of that nature. Soon after-
ward, however, he gave it up and turned his atten-
tion entirely to farming, and in this business be-
came one of the most successful and substantial
men in Pine Bluff. He lost a large part of his
fortune by investing in slaves up to as late as 1861,
and after the war was over his wealth had dwin-
dled to a considerable extent. He was in sym-
pathy with the Southern States, but never entered
the army during the strife, although he rendered
them valuable service on various occasions by
scouting, in which capacity he was an adept. In
politics Mr. Lindsay was a Democrat. He was the
second judge Jefferson County ever had, and
served as justice of the peace for eight years. His
birth occurred in 1812, and he died in 1869, while
taking a trip to Memphis, Tenn., his wife dying
in 1852. Some years after the death of his wife,
Mr. Lindsay was married to Miss Mahala Moore,
of Rutherford County, Tenn., who died in Jeffer-
son County, Ark. , in the year 1867. By his first
marriage he became the father of si.'c children, of
whom two are yet living: Sam and Wilbur F.
(the latter a farmer in Arkansas County), and by
his last marriage he had two children, of whom one
only is living; Edward, a farmer in Jefferson Coun-
ty. Sam Lindsay was educated in Pine Bluff and
had hardly finished his school days when he en-
listed in the Confederate army. He joined Com-
pany H of the Ninth Arkansas Infantry as a pri-
vate soldier, but shortly after his efficiency was
recognized and he was promoted to first lieu-
tenant. One year later he was appointed captain
of Company F in the same regiment, and six months
afterward was transferred and given command of
Company K. He took part in a great many bat-
tles, some of the most important being at Shiloh,
Vicksburg, Baker's Creek, Port Hudson, Jackson,
Dalton and Atlanta. At the battle of Shiloh he
was wounded in the left leg, and during the Geor-
gia campaign he received a minie ball in his right
arm which caused him to lose that member. He
was paroled at Macon, Ga., in June, 1865, and
returned to Jefferson County, where he again com-
menced farming. In connection with his farm
Capt. Lindsay also embarked in mercantile life at
Pastoria, where he has established an enviable repu-
tation. He has been postmaster of that town for the
past five years, and for eight years previous he
held the office of justice of the peace for Pastoria
Township. The Captain was married on April 16,
1867, to Miss Sallie Bayliss, a daughter of Thomas
and Elizabeth Bayliss, by whom he has had three
children, Anna, Samuella and Antonette, who are
living, and two who have died since: Florence and
Rizzley. Capt. Lindsay and his wife are members
of the Methodist Episcojial Church, South, in
which the former has held several responsible po-
sitions. He is a Democrat in politics, and as a
citizen he is one of the most popular and enter-
prising in the county. He is never backward in
aiding any worthy enterprise, but in fact is always
one of the leaders.
N. C. Lowry, retired, Pine Bluff, Ark. Mr.
188
HISTOEY OF AEKANSAS.
Lowry is a native of Tennessee, born in Henry
County, in June, 1823, and is the son of Isaac and
Rebecca (Crosswell) Lowry, natives of North Car-
olina and Tennessee, respectively. The elder 'Lovpry
left the land of his nativity when a young man,
went to Tennessee, and after his marriage located
in Stewart County of that State, where in connec-
tion with farming he also followed the teacher's
profession for some time. Later he moved to
Memjihis, resided there about two years, and in
1840 removed to Arkansas, locating in what is now
Drew County, where he closed his eyes to the
scenes of this world in the following June. He
served in the War of 1812, participating in the
battle of New Orleans, and was also in some of the
old Indian wars. He served as sheriff of Henry
County, Tenn. , for several years, and was a man
universally respected. His wife died in July,
1841. Their family consisted of four sons and two
daughters, all of whom grew to maturity, and live
became the heads of families. Three are living at
the present time: N. C. (subject of this sketch),
John R. {^ffho resides in Arkansas), and D. B. (who
is a resident of Texas). N. C. Lowry came to
Arkansas with his father in 1840 and remained
with him until his death. He then commenced
learning the blacksmith trade the following winter,
and served as an apprentice for three years, after
which, or in 1844, he erected a shop and was in
active business for about eight years. Finally he
sold out and entered a store, where he clerked un-
til the breaking out of the late war, when he en-
tered the Confederate service as a mechanic, serving
in that capacity until the close of the war. After-
ward he returned to his former business of clerk-
ing, which he continued up to the winter of 1888 or
1889. When Mr. Lowry located at Pine Bluff (in
1844) it was then a small village, and the wood
near was full of bear and deer. He was married
here in 1848 to Miss Christiana Smart, a native of
Carroll County, Tenn., but reared principally in
Arkansas, and the daughter of Josephus Smart.
To Mr. and Mrs. Lowry were born live sons:
Douglas (grown and married), Archie (also mar-
ried), Jehu (a young man), Charles (a young man),
and Henry Neal. Mr. Lowry is a Royal Arch
Mason, and has served in several official capacities
in the Blue Lodge and Chapter.
William T. Lytle, farmer, Altheimer, Ark.
The farm which Mr. Lytle now owns and conducts
in such an enterprising, industrious manner, em-
braces about 380 acres of good land, with about
200 acres under cultivation, forming one of the
neat, comfortable homesteads of the county. The
improvements upon it are convenient and complete,
and such as are necessary. He is a native of
Mississippi, and was born March 27, 1842. His
father, Robertson Lytle, was born in the Buckeye
State, near Dayton, in 1812, and secured a fair
education there. He moved from his native State
to Mississippi in 1837, was married there the same
year to Miss Louisa Cloyes, a native of Arkansas,
and the fruits of this union were eight children,
four sons and four daughters, of whom three are
still living, two residing in Arkansas and one in
Mississippi. The father was a farmer, currier and
shoemaker by occupation, and was an upright,
honest citizen. He was a member of the Masonic
Lodge, and he and wife belonged to the Methodist
Church. William T. Lytle was favored with fair
facilities for acquiring an education in Jefferson
County, Ark, , and his sjsare moments were passed
in attending to duties around the home place.
February 8, 1865, he married Miss Nancy Mayes,
a native of Arkansas, and a daughter of Bryant
and Sarah Mayes. This union has resulted in the
birth of six children, three sons and three daugh-
ters, all living, and three residing at home, but
the others in the neighborhood. They are named
as follows: William F. (who married Miss Lilly
Coen), Emma L. (the wife of P. D. Matkins), Es-
telle (wife of John Woodall), Robert, Rosie B. and
Bryant E. Mr. Lytle has always followed agri-
cultural pursuits and has been quite successful in
this respect. He is a member of the American
Legion of Honor, having joined in 1884, has been
a member of the Knights of Honor for four years,
and has belonged to the Masonic fraternity for
four months. During the late war he enlisted in
1861, under Gen. Price, and his first hard fight
was at Corinth, Miss., where he was slightly
wounded. He with others was taken prisoner at
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
189
the siege of Port Hudson, and there paroled, being
obliged to live on mule meat two weeks. After
being exchanged, he soldiered in Arkansas until
the early part of 1865, when he was taken prisoner,
and then released, engaging the same spring in
farming, his present occupation. His wife died
May 6, 1884, and on August 4, 1885, Mr. Lytle
took for his second wife Mrs. Delia G. Johnson.
He and wife are members of the Methodist Church,
and are respected by all.
J. W. D. McClure, dealer in pianos, organs,
sewing machines, books and stationery, aad one of
the leading citizens of Fine BlufF, was born in Bar-
tow County, Ga. , on the 8th of September, 1S44,
and is a son of John and Nancy (Beauchamp) Mc-
Clure, both natives of the same State, of Irish and
French origin, respectively. The father was an ex-
pert mechanic by trade, and a well known man in
that section of country. Both parents died in
Georgia, leaving three children living out of six
born to them: Amanda (wife of R. M. Hardy),
James W. D., and Mrs. Olive Hammet. J. W.
D. McClure, whose name heads this sketch, was
reared and educated in his native county, attend-
ing the public schools of that place. He was
apprenticed at an early age at the machiaist trade,
but did not complete his time. He then learned
the carpenter trade, which calling he followed un-
til leaving the State. In 1877, coming to John-
son County, Ark. , he located at Old Hill, and en-
tered into commercial life, there remaining for
three years, when he was employed by H. G. Hol-
lenburg as traveling salesman for musical instru-
ments, and continued with this gentleman one year.
Later, he was employed by Smith & Co. , for the
same length of time, as traveling salesman, and
then took charge of the branch office of this firm
at Pine BlufP. They afterward sold out their
business to Mr. Jesse French, with whom Mr. Mc-
Clure remained until June, 1889, when he em-
barked in the same business on his own account.
He carries a full line of instruments, all of the very
best make, and has established a very successful
patronage. His musical house is the only one in
Pine Bluff, and he has a monopoly of the business,
but in spite of this advantage he keeps his prices
within the reach of everyone. His trade has
assumed extensive proportions, and he is one of
the busiest men in Pine BlufF, hardly having time
to look after his real estate interests, of which he
owns considerable in that city. As a salesman and
a thorough business man, Mr. McClure has at-
tained well deserved reputation. In 1866 he was
married to Miss Alta McDowell, of Bartow Coun-
ty, Ga., by whom he has had five children, only
one yet living, Lillie. Mr. and Mrs. McClure are
both members of the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church, and are deeply interested in all religious
and educational matters. In secret orders he is a
member of the Odd Fellows, Knights Templar,
and Knights and Ladies of Honor. During the
Civil War he enlisted in Company A, Eighth
Georgia Battalion, and served until the surrender.
He was appointed chief of scouts in the latter part
of that event, but the war was over before he re-
ceived his commission. Mr. McClure was a brave
and gallant soldier in those trying times, and took
part in the principal battles of Mississippi and
Georgia, and was also in Sherman's march to the
sea.
R. V. McCracken, one of the leading citizens
of Pine Bluff, now retired from active business
life, was born in Limestone County, Ala. , on De-
cember 5, 1830, and is a son of William and Mar-
garet (Fox) McCracken, of South Carolina and
Kentitcky, respectively. The father was a promi-
nent surveyor, and one of the finest mathematicians
in the South, and for some years Y/a^ also engaged
in mercantile life in Alabama, in which State his
death occurred, the mother dying at Columbus,
Miss. The paternal grandfather, James McCrack-
en, was a native of Scotland, who emigrated to
America and settled in Union District, South Caro-
lina, afterward removing to Alabama, where he
resided until his death. R. V. McCracken was
educated in the public schools of his native State,
and remained in that j)lace until his eighteenth
year, when he came to Little Rook, Ark., and en-
tered a business house at that city. During his
term of employment he read law, and was also in-
structed by Elbert H. English, afterward chief
justice, and in 1852 located in Pine Bluff. In
190
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
1858 he was licensed to practice law in all the
courts, and continued at his profession with suc-
cess until the year 1874, when he abandoned the
law and entered into the insurance brisiness. He
has rejiresented fifteen of the best companies in
the United States, and transacted nearly all of the
insurance business in that section, until his failing
health forced him to give it up. Since then he
has lived in practical retirement and ease, hoping
to close a somewhat stormy life with a calm and
beautiful old age. Mr. McGracken has always
been a liberal man in his views as well as in a
financial sense, when it came toward advancing
the public welfare. He served several terms as
treasurer of the city of Pine Bluff, and gave entire
satisfaction to the people in that capacity. In
1856 he was married to Miss Virginia Harding, of
Kentucky, and although he has never had any
children of his own, he and wife have reared sev-
eral orphan children with all the tender solicitude
of true parents. In religious faith Mr. and Mrs.
McCracken are members of the Episcopal Church.
The former belongs to the Masonic fraternity, be-
ing a Knight Templar, and associated with the
Order of the Mystic Shrine. He takes an active
interest in religious and educational affairs, and
has attended three sessions of the general conven-
tion of the Episcopal Church. When Mr. Mc-
Cracken first came to Pine Bluff in 1852, it com-
prised pnly about 500 inhabitants, and upon
locating in the woods (now the heart of the city)
people laughed at him, but the wisdom of his
choice has beSn substantiated, and he can now ap-
ply the old maxim that ' ' he who laughs last
laughs best."
Robert D. McGaughy. one of Jefferson County' s
leading citizens and a man whose representation
of enterprise is of the best, was born in Lawrence
County, Ala., May 19, 1839, and is a son of Eli
A. and Rebecca (Stewart) McGaughy, of Indiana
and Alabama, respectively. Both j^arents were
members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church,
and sincere, Christian people. In politics the
father was a Democrat and wielded considerable in-
fluence amongst the men of his party. He was a
prosj)erous farmer during his life, and on the oc-
casion of his death in 1869, at the age of 63 years,
left a very good fortune. His wife died before
him, in 1849, and he afterward married Mrs.
Mary Russell. By his first marriage he became
the father of a large family, of whom seven chil-
dren lived to maturity, but two only remain at the
present time: Robert D. and Emma, wife of Uriah
Herron, a prominent banker of Paris, Texas. Ro-
bert D. was educated in Alabama and remained in
his birthplace until February, 1857, when he left
home and came to the State of Arkansas, locating
in Jefferson County. He immediately commenced
farming, an occupation of which he had a practi-
cal knowledge, and from 1874 to 1878 was en-
gaged in commercial life at Colton Center, build-
ing up a profitable trade during that time. He now
owns 280 acres of very fertile land and has placed
about 175 acres under cultivation. In May, 18,61,
he enlisted in Company E. Sixth Arkansas Infantry,
and served until the surrender at Greensboro, N.
C, May 2, 1865. He took part in a great many of
the important battles and a number of minor en-
gagements, besides innumerable skirmishes. Prin-
cipal among them were the battles of Shiloh, Mur-
froesboro. Missionary Ridge, Chickamauga, thi'ough
the Georgia campaign. New Hope Church, Kene-
saw Mountain, Resaca, Atlanta and Jonesboro. At
the latter place he was captured and confined for
nineteen days before he was exchanged. He then
fought at Franklin, Nashville and Bentonville,
N. C, seeing some very hard service and
performing his duties in a manner that often won
the praise of his superior officers. After the war
was over he went to Alabama to look after his
father's business, but after one year's stay in that
State he came back to Jefferson County, which he
has made his home ever since. In 1888 he was
elected justice of the peace of Plum Bayou Town-
ship, an oSice that he filled with entire satisfaction
to everyone. On October 24, 1865, he was married
to Miss Josephine Stephenson, of Alabama, but
lost his wife in Jefferson County, on May 15, 1875.
She left two daughters, one of whom resides at
home with her father. The other child, Ella, died
in her thirteenth year. January 12, 1876, Mr.
McGaughy was married to Miss Ida J. Cherry,
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
lUI
of Toledo. Cleburne County, Ark., by whom be
bad tbree cbildren; Edward D., Floy E. and
Harry G. Tbis wife died August :U, 1885, .and
on Majf lU, 1887, be was married to Miss Mamie
E. Stepbeuson, a sister of bis first wife. Tbis
marriage gave tbem one cbild, Robert Earl. Mrs.
McClungby is a member of tbe Metbodist Episcopal
Cburcb, and a devout Cbristian woman, earnest in
ber endeavors to do good on every occasion. Her
busband is a Royal Arcb Mason, and in politics a
Democrat.
Emmett M. McGaugby, M. D. Tbe study of
medicine is an intricate one, and tbe man wbo at-
tains a proficiency in tbat calling bas cause to feel
proud — indeed bis pride is pardonable. Dr. Mc-
Gaugby bas reacbed an eminence in bis j)rofession
wbicb, to attempt a portrayal of bis work, is found
to be out of tbe biograpber's reacb. However,
tbe outlines of bis life may be passed over tbat
some idea of bis success may be bad. He was
born in Pine Bluff on Marcb 21, 1861, and is
a son of Dr. J. Paul and Mary O. McGaugby, of
Alabama and Arkansas, respectively. Tbe father
w«,s a noted pbysician and a graduate of tbe Uni-
versity of Louisville, Ky. He first commenced
to practice medicine in Flat Rock before tbe war,
and in 1871 moved to Pine Bluff, wbere be also
embarked ia mercantile life. Later on he retired
from business and turned bis attention exclusively
to farming, in which calling be was extremely
prosperous. His de;itb occurred in 1879, when
fifty-two years of age. The mother died in 1872,
and was comparatively a young woman at the time
of her death. She was a member of tbe Methodist
Episcoj^al Church, South, an earnest Christian
woman and much admired for her charitable deeds.
In politics the father was a Democrat. Seven
cbildren were born to their marriage, of whom six
are still living: Belle (wife of George Lindsay, con-
nected with the firm of G. Meyer & Co., at Pine
Bluff), H. C. (with tbe mercantile bouse of R. S.
Thompson, at the same point), Ernest (in commer-
cial life at Fort Payne, Ala.), Fannie, Marshall
(salesman for Westbrook & Co.. at Pine Bluff). Lula
(who died in ber fourth year), Eddy (wbo died in
infancy), and Emmett M. The latter was educated
in Pine Bluff, and graduated from tbe high schools
at tbat place in 1881. In the same year he com-
menced the study of medicine under Drs. Owen
and Alexander, of Pine Bluff' (both now deceased),
and after eighteen months' instruction from tbem
be attended lectures at the University of Louisville.
He commenced to practice bis profession at Rob
Roy and remained there two years, afterward re-
moving to Goldman, where be remained a short
time, and then to Corner Stone, in which place and
in the surrounding country, be has built up a fine
practice. In June. 1889, be was married to Miss
Mary Oliphant, a daughter of L. H. Olipbant, of
Jefferson County. Mrs. McGaugby is a member
of tbe Episcopal Church. " The Doctor is a promi-
nent Mason, and in politics a stanch Democrat.
Samuel M. McGebee, one of the old resident
planters of tbis county, has seen considerable of
pioneer life, having come to Arkansas in 1857.
He was born in Meriwether County, Ga., Sep-
tember 1, 1828, wbere be was reared, having few
school advantages, and where he cast bis first
vote. At the age of twenty one he commenced
clerking in a general store for $8 per month and
board, at Griffin, Ga. On tbis small sum he sup-
ported himself for two years, later engaging ia
farming in his native county, and four years later
removed to Arkansas, locating in tbe vicinity of
wbere he now resides, and becoming one of the
leading farmers of his section. He bas upward
of 250 acres of open land devoted to the best pur-
poses of agricultural life. In 1861 Mr. McGebee
enlisted in tbe Confederate army, in what was called
the Fogin Guards, and was made first lieuten-
ant. They went to Virginia, camping on the Po-
tomac, wbere he remained, till his health gave out,
when he was transferred to the Western depart-
ment. He then helped organize tbe Trans Missis-
sippi department, and served as (quartermaster.
He was at Arkansas Post. January 10, 1863, but
succeeded in making his escape, also taking part
in a number of skirmishes during service, and at
the battle of Williamsburg. Va. , be was shot, though
by tbe ball bitting his watch and glancing off he
was not injured. In 1864 he was elected to tbe State
legislature but did not serve. In 1870 he was com-
192
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
missioned postmaster at Double Wells (whicli is at
his home), named from two wells on his place.
He has since held the office, with the exception of
one year when he resigned. He has been very
successful, and now owns 4, 000 acres of good land.
Mr. Mc'Gehee's first wife was Miss Mary Black-
well (sister of Thomas P. Blackwell), who was born
in 1829, and died in 1866, a member of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church. They had a family of six
children, two of whom are now living: Dr. Mar-
shall M. (living and practicing in Georgia), and
Sarah E. (wife of A. B. Craig of this county).
September 11, 1866, Mr. McGehee was married to
his present wife, formerly Miss Eliza J. Griffin.
She was born in Fayette County, Tenn., in the j'ear
1832, and was the daughter of Lucy and Perry-
man Griffin, of Kentucky, the former of whom
died in 1873; the mother is still living at the age
of eighty-eight, but for ten years has been de-
prived of her eye- sight, the affliction resulting
from measles. Mrs. Ferryman is one of thi'ee
living out of a family of eight children. She has
been a resident of this county since 1859, having
come here with her parents. One son, Franklin
O. , is the result of this union; he was born Decem-
ber 2, 1868, graduated from the Central Collegi-
ate Institute, at Altus, Ark., and is now teaching
his fourth term of school. Mr. McGehee and his
wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, of which he is steward, and he has
been a lay member of every conference at Little
Rock for the last twenty years. He is a Demo-
crat, taking some interest in county and State
elections, and has held the office of justice of the
peace for some years, and it is recorded that soon
after taking that office he married a couple on
horseback. His father, a farmer and local Metho-
dist minister, was a native of Georgia, and mar-
ried Sarah Martin, of the same State. He was a
leading worker in the church, was in one of the
Indian wars of Alabama, and held a commission as
major in the Georgia State militia. He was born
in 1805, and died in 1876. His wife was born in
1804, and died in 1868; she was an active member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a lovely woman,
charitable, kind and generous to a fault.
Marcellus C. Mcintosh, M. D., is another
bright light in the medical profession of Arkansas,
located at Sherrill, Jefferson County. He was
born at Palmetto, Ga. , on November 5, 1859, and
is a son of Marcellus E. and Barbara J. (McBride)
Mcintosh. The father was also a physician of
note, and a graduate of the Medical College of
Augusta, Ga. , in 1845, and practiced his profes-
sion in that State and Alabama. He was one of
the most intellectual and scholarly men in his native
State, and attained a high eminence among the
medical fraternity. During the late war he served
as surgeon in the Confederate army, and per-
formed such work that had the United States such
institutions as the Iron Cross of Europe he would
have been entitled to the honor of being so decor-
ated. His father was Jesse Mcintosh, of Scotland,
who emigrated to America and settled in Morgan
County, Ala. , where he also practiced medicine,
and gave part of his attention to a plantation.
This Mcintosh was one of the largest and wealth-
iest planters in Georgia at that time, and well
known throughout the Southern country. The
McBride family are old and well known residents
of Georgia, and are noted for their merchant
princes as well as the Mcintosh family are known
for their famous physicians and surgeons, the firm
of McBride & Co. being one of the largest in At-
lanta. The parents of Marcellus C. were both
members of the Baptist Church, and took great in-
terest in religious and educational affairs. The
father had been a prominent Mason, and had taken
nearly all the higher degrees, besides belonging to
several temperance societies. In politics he was a
Democrat and a valuable man for his party, as his
influence in that section was considerable. Seven
children were born to their marriage, of whom five
grew to maturity and four are yet living: Mary
L. (wife of John M. Adams, a prominent planter
of Chambers County, Ala.), Dora E. (deceased,
who was the wife of McCuin Robinson, of Lee
County, Ala.), Marcellus (who is at present in
San Francisco with a brother), Marcellus C. and
William P. The latter was the third child born to
the parents. Like his forefathers he inclioed
toward the medical profession, and was a graduate
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
193
of the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Bal-
timore, the Johns Hopkins University in the same
city, and of the male academy at West Point. He
is now connected with the United States Marine
Hospital service, and is stationed at San Francisco,
Cal. Marcellus C. was educated at the home
schools, and first commenced to study medicine
tinder his father and elder brother. He began
when eight years old, and continued with them
until 1882, when he attended lectures at the Col-
ege of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore.
After graduating from that college he was a thor-
ough physician and entered into active work at
Palmyra, Ark., where he remained a short time,
and then moved to Greely, near the boundary line
of Lincoln and Jefferson Counties, practicing at
this place until 1885. During the years 1885-86
he attended the Memphis Hospital Medical College,
and after graduating from that institute, moved
to Corner Stone and again began to practice, but
the following year he changed to his present loca-
tion. While at Baltimore he was assistant sur-
geon to a well known physician, and at Memphis
was assistant at the City Hospital, but virtually
had entire charge of the place. In February,
1886, he entered the United States Marine Ser-
vice and remained a short time, and upon obtain-
ing an indefinite leave of absence he came back to
Jefferson County, where he has resided ever since.
In 1885 Dr. Mcintosh was married to Miss Mary
Hudgens, a daughter of William R. Hudgens, of
Lincoln County, but lost his wife in January, 1889.
The Doctor is a member of the Missionary Bap-
tist Church, and in secret societies a Royal Arch
Mason and Odd Fellow. In politics he is a Demo-
crat. As a physician and surgeon Dr. Mcintosh
has few equals and no superiors in Central Ar-
kansas, and his record among the medical frater-
nity is such that his name will long live in the
annals of Arkansas professional men.
Evander N. McPhail has not attained to the
position which he occupies as a merchant and
property owner of wealth and influence through
any untoward circumstances, but rather by reason
of his energy, enterprise and acute business good
management. He is a native of Fayette ville, N.
C, where he was born June 17, 18-t3, being a son
of Alex and Jean (Cami)bell) McPhail, both orig-
inally from Jura, Scotland, who came to North
Carolina in 1839, and to Arkansas in 1866, their
death occurring in the latter State. Evander re-
ceived his education at the Academy in Fayette-
ville, N. C, and in 1861 entered the Civil War
under Gen. D. H. Hill, as a member of the First
North Carolina Infantry. He was transferred to
Starr's battery in 1863, where he remained till the
close of the war, having participated in the battles
of Big Bethel, Bentonville, Goldsborough, Ply-
mouth, Petersburg and Kingston. In 1866 he
came to Arkansas with his parents, opened a stock
of general merchandise, and is still successfully
occupied in the business at Lin wood. He has 425
acres of valuable land, on which he raises jirinci-
pally cotton and corn. He is a stanch Democrat,
and has been a Mason seventeen years, and is en-
terprising both in public and private affairs. In
1866 Mr. McPhail married Miss Annie Puryear,
of Virginia. In 1881 he was again married, Miss
Maria Jackson, of Jefferson County, Ark., becom-
ing his wife. They have two children, Jean, aged
two and one-half years, and Marion, aged one and
one-half years.
George L. Madding is a merchant and farmer
of Madding, Jefferson County, Ark. Few names
are better known to the business and agricultural
world than Mr. Madding' s. He was born in Col-
umbia, Tenn. , on February 6, 1848, and is a son
of Raleigh and Sarah (Mayes) Madding, of Hali-
fax County, Va. The parents were married in
that State and moved to Tennessee at an early
period, locating in Maury County, when the city of
Columbia was composed of only a few houses.
Both parents were members of the Baptist Church
and earnest Christian people. In politics the
father was an old line Whig, and one of the best
known politicians in that part of Tennessee during
his life. The elder Madding was of Irish origin,
and came from his native country with his father
to the United States, where they located in Vir-
ginia. The mother was of Scotch descent. They
were the parents of ten children, of whom George
L. is the 'youngest, and five others yet living. The
194
HISTOKY OF ARKANSAS.
father died in 1856, when seventy three years of
age, and the mother's death occurred in her fifty-
eighth year. The names of their children are:
William S. (a prominent farmer in Jefferson Coun-
ty),Me]issa (wife of Capt. W. S. Malcomb, a farmer
and extensive stock raiser of Arkansas County), Mrs.
W. S. Wilcox (widow of Capt. Wilcox, now resid-
ing in Arkansas County), Emily (also in Arkansas
County), D. F. (farming in Jefferson County), and
George L. (the jjrincipal in this sketch). George L.
came with his parents to Eed Fork, Ark. , and was
there educated. He was just intending to prepare
for a collegiate course when the war interrupted his
plans, and he was forced to do without. Two of
his brothers were killed while in the Confederate
army: John at Bowling Green, Ky., and Albert
at Oak Hill, Mo. When twenty years of age
George commenced in life for himself. He was
employed by others for about two years, when his
spirit of independence began to assert itself, and
he entered into an agreement with another party
to farm on shares. After this venture he farmed
on rented land up to the year 1870, when he came
to New Gascony, Ark., and entered into commer-
cial life with a capital of 1175. He remained at
New Gascony until the year 1888, and was very
successful in his various enterprises. At the pres-
ent time he owns 2,100 acres of very fertile land
in Jefferson County, and 1,100 acres in Arkansas
County. Out of this he has placed 1,500 acres
under cultivation. Besides his large farming in-
terests Mr. Madding has established a branch store
at Corner Stone, which has been running four
years: one at Swan Lake, which has been estab-
lished for two years, and one upon his farm at
Madding, which place has been named after him
as a mark of honor. He deals in supplies of everj'
nature, and has established a trade amounting to
over 160,000 annually, and his name throughout
Jefferson County is one of the most substantial
financially in that section. In 1875 he was mar-
ried to Miss Atlanta Massey, a daughter of Maj.
M. M. Massey, formerly of Humphreys County,
Tenn., but now of Arkansas County, Ark. Five
children were born to this union: Clara A., Fred-
erick E., George T., John W. and Charles J., the
first child dying in her fourth year. Mr. Mad-
ding is a prominent member of the K. of H. and
K. of P. In politics he is a stanch Democrat,
and that party has a valuable ally in him, owing
to his influence in that county, and it was through
this fact that Madding postoffice was established
in 1887.
John T. Marsh, commission merchant. Pine
Bluff, Ark. Amongst the representative classes
that go to make up our commercial fabric, that of
commission merchant forms an important part. In
this line of business is found a thoroughly repre-
sentative firm in that of Messrs. Marsh & Atkin-
son, the well-known commission merchants. Mr.
Marsh owes his origin to Troup County, Ga. ,
where his birth occurred on March 23, 1843, hav-
ing been born to the union of John J. and Cath-
erine (Goodwin) Marsh. John J. Marsh was a
native of North Carolina, grew to manhood in that
State and later went to Georgia, where he met and
married Miss Goodwin, a descendant of a noted
Georgia family. He was a farmer and followed
this pur.suit in Georgia until 1848, when he moved
to Louisiana, locating near Vernon, Jackson Parish.
In 1850 he moved to Claiborne Parish, reared his
family there and received his final summons about
1880. He served through two of the Indian wars,
and for his bravery and gallant conduct was pro-
moted to the rank of major. John T. Marsh grew
to manhood in Louisiana, and like most of the
youths of that vicinity as he grew up he devoted
his time and attention to farming, receiving in the
meantime a good common school education. When
eighteen years of age he enlisted in the Confeder-
ate Army, Seventeenth Louisiana Infantry, as pri-
vate (June, 1861), and served until cessation of
hostilities, when he was paroled in June, 1865, at
Alexandria, La. He participated in the battle of
Shiloh-Farming, Port Gibson, where he received a
gunshot wound in the side, but only disabled for a
short time, when he participated in the following en-
gagements: Black River, Choctaw Bayou, and was
in the whole siege of Vicksburg. He was captured,
paroled and was afterward in the engineer depart-
ment. After the war he returned home, tilled the
soil for a year, and in 1866 went to New Orleans,
PINE BLUFF.
Jefferson County, ARKftNSftS-
where he attended school, taking a thorough com-
mercial course. In 1S67 he came to Arkansas and
located at Monticello, where he was married in
October, 1868, to Miss Bettie White, a native of
Tennessee, and the daughter of Charles C. White.
Mr. Marsh was book-keeper at Monticello one year,
after which he followed agricultural pursuits for
two years, and then moved to Bakada, where be
was engaged in merchandising, and was also inter-
ested in the lumber business. He then resumed
his former occupation of tilling the soil, and in
1874 moved to Pine Bluff, where he was occupied
as book keeper until 1877. Subsequently he was
on the road as traveling salesman for about three
years, and then in 1881 began the general mercan-
tile business with limited capital. He soon worked
up a fine trade and now has the largest commission
house in Pine BlutT, doing an annual trade of
about $400,000. To his marriage were born two
interesting children: Elmo and Ada, and he and
family are members of the Baptist Church. Mr.
Marsh has served as alderman of his ward for two
terms and to the satisfaction of all. He is a mem-
ber of the Masonic Lodge, being P. M. of Pine
Bluff Lodge No. 69; H. P. of Lafayette Royal Arch
Chapter No. 7; E. C. of Damascus Commandery
No. 8, K. T. ; C. R. of Sahara Temple, A. A. O. N.
M. S. , and D. D. G. M. of the Third district.
Joseph Merrill, capitalist, Pine Bluflf, Ark.
No name is justly entitled to a more enviable place
in the history of Jefferson County than the one
that heads this sketch, for it is borne by a man
who has been usefully and honorably identified
with the interests of this county, and with its ad-
vancement in every worthy particular. He was
born in Rockingham County, N. H. , and is the
son of William and Mary (Sweat) Merrill. There
were three sons and one daughter in the family,
Joseph being the youngest. He was reared in
New England, and at the age of eleven years was
apprenticed until twenty-one to learn the trade
of shoemaking and tanning. At the close of his
apprenticeship he worked at his trade for five years
in Boston. He then went West, stopping at Sid-
ney, Ohio, where he had a shoe-shop for nearly
three years. The business not being remunerative,
and his health being poor, he wended his way
southward, and landed at Little Rock, Ark., in
December, 1835, where he at once found friends
and congenial employment as a clerk in a store.
In 1847 he followed his whilom employer and
friend to Pine Bluff, Ark. , continuing in the same
line of business. Pine Bluff then had but three
stores and few houses. In 1848 he opened a store
of general merchandise, which he prosecuted suc-
cessfully until 1860, when he sold out. He was
postmaster also during most of this time. He, like
many others, suffered heavily from the ravages of
war, and also by reason of the bankruptcy of others
thereafter. Enough of his good earnings were left
him, however, to enable him to add to his landed
property by the purchase, at reduced prices, of
available lands and city lots that have since ma-
terially enhanced in value. His planting interests
are constantly becoming more extensive, and he
has now fully 900 acres of good bottom land in a
nice state of cultivation. Mr. Merrill is the
founder of the "Merrill Institute," not yet com-
pleted. At a cost to him of at least $20,000, and
on a choice and valuable lot by him deeded, he has
caused, under the auspices of a board of trustees
previously selected by him, to be built a brick
building, 50x114 feet, three stories in height, with
a tower, containing a lecture hall, a library, a well
equipjjed gymnasium, and commodious parlors, for
the use of the young people of the city, to improve
them physically, morally, and spiritually. "When
completed, the building will be a credit to the
architect, and the institution an honor to its donor.
Mr. ]\Ierrill is near eighty years old, and remark-
ably active. He was never quite strong, yet by
moderate care bids fair to add many more years to
his usefulness.
G. Meyer, one of the leading boot and shoe
merchants in Pine Bluff, whose business has been
established since 1856, first in partnership with
Marks Levy until the war, and since then alone,
is a native of Bavaria, German}-, and was born
on July 4, 1836. His parents were Henry and
Marion (Came) Meyer, also natives of Germany,
where both parents resided until their death. In
1851 Mr. Meyer left his native country and sailed
198
HISTOKY OF AEKANSAS.
from Antwerp for America, landing at New Orleans
after a rough voyage of over seventy days. He
then proceeded to Ouachita, La., where he re-
mained until 1856, and then came to Pine BhifF,
Ark. Seeing the future of this city was likely to
be a prosperous one, he remained and established
himself in the general merchandise business, also
planting to a considerable extent. Mr. Meyer's
accuracy in foretelling the future of Pine Bluff
shows him to have been a careful observer and a
shrewd man, and to-day he not only has one of
the oldest established houses in that city, but owns
several thousand acres of the most valuable land in
Jefferson County, upon which he is principally
raising cotton. He is a prominent figure, and an
influential man in all affairs of the city, and has
served several terms as alderman and school di-
rector, having been director ever since the creation
of the school district of Pine Bluff; as a member
of the building committee, he bought the sites upon
which all the school- houses are located. In secret
societies Mr. Meyer is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, and also of the Knights of Pythias.
He was married in 1867 to Miss Bertha S. Rubel,
of Mississippi, by whom he has had seven chil-
dren: Florence lone, Ike Rubel, May B. , Corinne.
Yoe C. , Alice S. and Percy B. Since coming to
his adopted country Mr. Meyer has firmly em-
bedded himself in the confidence and esteem of his
•fellow citizens, both in a business and social way,
his legitimate and square methods of doing busi-
ness, and his many personal qualities, winning for
him a host of friends.
James "C. Mitchell, one of the leading citizens
and a prominent planter of Jefferson County, was
born in that county December 25, 1846, and is a
son of John B. and Mary (Dereuisseaux) Mitchell,
of Arkansas. The father was a successful and
well known planter, who died on the farm where
his son now resides, in 1847, leaving his family in
a more than comfortable condition, as far as wealth
was concerned. He was a Democrat in politics,
and in religion a member of the Catholic Church.
The Mitchell family are of French descent, and
among the oldest settlers in the State. After the
father's death his widow was married some years
later to Mr. Frank D. Vallier, a native of Arkan-
sas, whose. death occurred in 1866, when forty-five
years of age. He was also a Catholic in religion
and a Democrat in politics. Some of his fore-
fathers were in the War of 1812, and also fought
in many battles against the Indians. The mother
was born in 1817, and has resided in Jefferson
County since 1839, making her home with James
C. , her son, for the past few years, and is a devout,
Christian woman, and a member of the Catholic
Church. Her first marriage resulted in the birth
of six children, of whom James C. is the only one
now living, and there were no children by her
second marriage. James C. Mitchell was educated
in the schools of his native place, and resided with
his mother until the spring of 1864, when he left
home to enlist in Capt. Frank G. Vaugine's com-
pany of Col. Monroe's regiment. He took part
in Price's raids, and fought in almost all of the
battles during that memorable campaign. After
the war was over he returned home and turned his
attention to farming. He entered into the work
with a will and determination to make a success
out of it, and his efforts thus far have met with
flattering results. He now owns about 320 acres
of valuable land, and has placed 150 acres under
cultivation, and raises some of the finest crops in
his county. Mr. Mitchell has never yet met the
lady who could win his heart, and has consequently
remained a bachelor, but out of the many pairs of
bright eyes that surround him, cupid may yet find
a mark from which to send his shaft. He is a
member of the Catholic Church, and in politics a
Democrat.
Charles F. Moore, one of AVilliamette's success-
ful and promising merchants, was born near Hot
Springs, in 1861. His grandfather was Robert I.
Moore, a merchant of Nashville, who died at an
advanced age. His father was James H. Moore,
a native of Nashville, who came to Arkansas about
1844, and settled at Arkansas Post, where he mar-
ried in 1851, remaining until his death, at the age
of sixty years, in 1885. He was one of the lead-
ing men of the country, and at the time of his
demise held an official appointment in the agricul-
tural department. He was active in politics, a
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
199
Mason, and a member of the Episcopal Church.
During the war he served in the Confederate army
as colonel, and in 1863 went to Texas in the quar-
termaster's department, continuing in service until
the close of the war, when he returned to his farm.
His wife was formerly Miss Adelaide J. Farrelly,
a native of Arkansas, and a daughter of Terrence
Farrelly, of Ireland, originally, who came to the
United States early in the nineteenth century. He
was a lawyer, and l:)ecame located in the Territory
of Louisiana, but later moved to Arkansas Post,
where he became a prominent citizen. He was
also a planter, and the first sheriff of Arkansas
County, well deserving his reputation as one of
the county's leading men. He had a family of
si.x children, two of whom are now living: Charles
C. and Eliza E. Longtree, of Little Rock. In
Mr. Moore's family were seven children, four of
whom are living: Sallie E. Austin (of Pendleton,
Ark.), Mary M. Brooks (of Brooks, Ky.), Fannie
G. Pendleton (of Douglas, Ark.), and Charles F.
The mother died when Charles was a small boy.
She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. The subject of this sketch was reared in
Arkansas County, attending school at St. Mary's
College, in Marion, Ky., and graduating in 1879
in the scientific and commercial departments. He
is a civil engineer by profession, and so well quali-
fied for the position was he that he held the office
of county surveyor of Arkansas County from 1880
to 1886. He is now engaged in general merchan-
dise business at Williamette, in partnership with
L. Sullivan. He is a* member of the Catholic
Church, and a young man of enterprise and worth.
S. C. Motes, farmer,- Altheimer, Ark. Mr.
Motes may be classed among the rising agricultur-
ists of this county and township. Although still
comparatively a young man he has had an experi-
ence in tilling the soil which places him among the
progressive young men of the community. He
was born in Caldwell Parish, La., on February 14,
1850, and is the son of Samuel P. Motes, a native
of Westmoreland County, Penn., born May 31,
1809. The elder Motes was fairly educated in
his native State, and in 1830 jnoved to Louisiana,
where he married Miss Cynthia Sutton, a native
of that State, and the daughter of Reuben and
Julia Sutton. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs.
Motes resulted in the birth of twelve children, six
sons and six daughters, of whom only four are now
living, and all reside in Jefferson County. They
are named as follows: Julia (wife of Maj. B. F.
Busby), Rosie F. (wife of John Franklin), William
P. (who married Miss Maria Tidwell), and S. C.
The father was a prominent tiller of the soil, and
was the owner of about 3, COO acres of land, 700
of which are under cultivation. He was also a
physician of established repute. He and wife were
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. S.
C. Motes was reared to farm labor, and received
his education in the schools of Memphis, Tenn.
He has all his life followed the occupation to which
he was brought up, and is at present the owner of
about 450 acres of good land in Jefferson County,
one mile from Altheimer. He belongs to the Ma-
sonic fraternity, has held the office of tyler for
several terms, and is the present incumbent. Al-
though not a member of any church he contributes
liberally to all laudable enterprises.
William P. Motes, a prominent citizen, and one
of the best known planters of Jefferson County,
was born in Carroll Parish, La., July 21, 1857,
and is a son of Samuel and Cynthia (Sutton) Motes.
The father was a native of Tennes.see, who moved
to Louisiana upon reaching his maturity, and there
met his wife for the first time. After their mar-
riage they removed to Arkansas County, Ark.,
where the father died in 1865, at the age of fifty-
five years. The mother is still living, and resides
with her son, at the age of seventy-three years.
The elder Motes was a noted physician, and a man
of sound intellect, and during his residence in
Arkansas County was one of its leading citizens.
He accumulated considerable wealth, both from
his large practice and from outside interests. In
politics he was a Democrat, and a man whose ser
vices were valuable to that party. He and wife
were both worthy members of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, South. His family continued to
reside in Arkansas County until the year 1870, when
they came to Jefferson County. There were twelve
children born to the parents, of whom nine lived
200
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
to maturity, and four still survive: Sam C. (a
jjrominent farmer of this county), William P., Mrs.
Rhoda Franklin (of Jefferson County), and Mrs.
Julia Busby (wife of Maj. Benjamin Busby, a
wealthy planter of the same county). William P.
was educated in Jefferson and White Counties, hut
at sixteen years of age, he left the school -room to
take the agency of his brother-in-law's (B. F.
Busby) business. He assumed these diities for
five years, and at the end of that time, purchased
320 acres of land, and commenced farming on his
own account. At the present time he is the owner
of and controls 1,000 acres of land, all of it being
under cultivation, and is one of the most solid
men in Jefferson County, a substantial reward to
his energy and industry, when it is considered
that after the war the family were left without a
remnant of their fortune, and William was com-
pelled to start with nothing in the world but his
intelligent mind and enterprising spirit to aid him.
On October 28, 1885, he was married to Mrs.
Mariah (Beauclaire) Tidwell, a charming widow,
and a daughter of Mr. Thomas Beauclaire. This
lady was born in Tallahassee County, Miss., and
by her marriage with Mr. Motes became the
mother of two children: Walter and Benjamin.
She also had two children by her first marriage:
Charles and Henry, all of them living. Both
parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, and in politics Mr. Motes is a
strong Democrat. Fortune has rewarded him for
his perseverance, and he is now one of the most
successful planters and traders in his section, the
business he does amounting to from i'10,000 to
115,000 annually. He is a highly esteemed and
popular citizen, and commands considerable in-
fluence in business and social affairs.
Capt. J. W. M. Murphy is well known as one
of the leading men of his township, having
founded the town of Macon Station, where he now
resides. His grandfather, Edward Murphy, came
from Ireland when a young man, and settled in
Tennessee, dying at the age of 104. His father,
Archibald Murp)hy, was born in 1791, in an In-
dian fort in Sevier County, Tenn., and was the
youngest of three brothers who served in the
Jackson War; he died in 1851, in Hardin Coun-
ty, Tenn. His wife (who died in the same year)
was formerly Miss Mary Munda, of Tennessee
birth and bringing up, born in 1800. The sub-
ject of this sketch, the fourth in a family of eight
children, first saw the light of day in Lawrence
County, Tenn., in 1829. There he was reared,
and at the age of nineteen commenced the battle
of life for himself, following farming till 1860.
In 1853 he went to Texas, but returning soon after
to Pike County, Ark., he carried on a milling bus-
iness till ISGO, when he came to Pine Bluff. At
the beginning of the war he was captured there
by the Confederates, and tried for treason; on
being released by his friends he joined the Union
army under Powell Clayton, as captain of scouts,
having 117 men under his charge, in which capa-
city he served till the close of the war. Mr.
Murphy has held various offices in Pine Bluff' for
sixteen years, serving as constable, and for seven
years as marshal. In 1883 he removed fi-om Pine
Bluff, and has since been occupied in running a
saw-mill and also a general store. He also has a
farm well under cultivation, and at present is post
master at this place. Mr. Murphy is a member
of Post No. 44, of the G. A. R., at Pine Bluff,
and is a stanch Republican and very active in pol
itics. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, having built a neat little church
edifice in Macon. An extensive experience in
travel over the Northern and Eastern States, has
given him liberal information in regard to these
sections. Mr. Murphy's first wife was Melinda
Puybrn, of Hardin County, Tenn., whom he mar-
ried in 1847. She was born in 1829, and in 1858
died in Pike County, Ark. To this union were
born four children: John W. (deceased), Louisa
(deceased), Anna (wife of Lorenzo Weaver), and
Josephine (wife of Rev. John McCoy, of this
State). In 1862 Mr. Murphy married Miss Eliza-
beth Roberts, of Virginia nativity, born in 1829,
who came to Arkansas with her parents in 1849.
To them have been born three sons: James P.,
Archie and Martin Luther, all deceased. Mrs.
Murphy is a member of the Baptist Church.
Arthur Murray, editor and proprietor of The
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
201
Press Eagle, Piue Bluff, is a native of that city,
and was born ou November 1, 1859. His parents
removed from Virginia to Arkansas in 1852, and for
some years prior and subsequent to the Civil War,
the father. Judge John C. Murray, was judge of
the Eleventh judicial circuit, and one of the lead-
ing lawyers of the State. The eldest brother of
Mr. Murray was a West Point cadet and Confeder-
ate soldier, who was killed at the battle of Atlanta,
Ga. In the closing year of the Civil War, two
days prior to his death. Col. Edward Murray had
received a commission as brigadier-general and was
the youngest officer of that rank in the Confederate
service, being only twenty-two years old when i
killed. Judge Murray dying in 1868, his son j
Arthur was thrown upon his own resources at a
very early age, and was deprived of even a common
school education. For several years he supported
his widowed mother by peddling fruit upon the
streets, and when twelve years old entered the old
press office (that paper then being edited by Col.
Wyatt Thomas) as ' ' devil ' ' or office boy. Young
Murray mastered all departments of the printer's
art, and within eight years fi'om the time he first
entered the office, was a part owner and sole editor
of the paper, which had in the meantime been con-
nected with the Eagle. Later on he purchased his
partner's interest, and since 1883 Mr. Murray,
has published and edited The Press Eagle unas-
sisted and with unusual success. His journalistic
career has been somewhat eventful, as he is a fear-
less writer, and has a faculty of attacking local and
political abuses in so vigorous a manner as to make
him many enemies among the corrupt classes.
He has often been attacked upon the street for
foiling the disreputable schemes of some designing
mountebank or jiolitician, but in each encounter of
this kind he has preserved his honor and his life,
though he has been called upon to exchange leaden
missiles at short range more than once. In South-
east Arkansas it is now accepted as a fact that
editor Murray is responsible for every expression of
his paper, and that while doing injustice to no one,
he cannot be swerved from his convictions of right
and duty, or be made to withdraw from any position
he assumes as a journalist. His paper has a large
and ever increasing circulation, and the profits
thereof have made him independent of his news-
paper business. Mr. Munay, by judicious in-
vestments in this rapidly developing city has accu-
mulated about 135,000 worth of productive real
estate, and is probably in better financial condition
than any other newspaper man in the State. In per-
sonal appearance he is above the medium height and
well proportioned, and his countenance indicates
the quiet determination and strength of character
that overcame the disadvantages of poverty and
lack of education, and made him one of the repre-
sentative citizens of the metropolis of Southeast
Arkansas.
Archibald Niven, a prominent planter and ex-
county clerk of Jefferson County, was born in Anson
County, N. C, in December, 1829, and is a son of
Duncan and Flora (McDougal) Niven, both natives
of Highland Scotland, and married in that country.
The parents left Scotland and sailed for America in
1819. locating in Anson County, N. C. , on their arri-
val in this country. The father commenced farm-
ing and made this place his permanent home until
his death in 1863. The mother died previously, in
1856. They were the parents of seven children,
of whom four are yet living, Archibald being the
youngest. He was reared and instructed to the
duties of farm life in his youth, and when looking
out for an occupation of his own, naturally turned
to what he was most adapted for, and has followed
that calling with success all his life. He was
elected to the legislature of North Carolina, and
served two terms while residing in Anson County,
and also held other civil offices, and for a few
years engaged in merchandising at that place. In
1869 he came to Arkansas and settled in Jeft'erson
County, locating at Pine Bluff for a short period.
He then moved to his present farm in Niven
Township, that place being set out in 1879, and
being named in Mr. Niven' s honor. He resided
here for ten years and then moved to Pine Bluff,
his present home. In 1878 Mr. Niven was elected
county clerk, and held that office for six years,
leaving his position to the sincerest regrets of the
people he had served so well in that time. Mr.
Niven has been deservedly successful in' his farm-
202
HISTORY OP ARKANSAS.
ing operations, and now owns about 800 acres in
Niven Township, with 200 acres under cultivation,
his principal crop being cotton. He was married
in 1852 to Miss Martha Redfern, of North Caro-
lina, by whom he has had live children, four of
them yet living: John W., Archibald B. , Dougal
M. and Nora I. The one deceased was Flora.
Mr. Niven owns a beautiful home in Pine Bluff,
and has an interesting family to make, it one of
the brightest in that city. He and wife are mem-
bers of the Presbyterian Church, and are always
active and liberal in their support of any charit-
able enterprise. Mr. Niven is a prominent mem-
ber of the Masonic fraternity.
T. J. Ormsby, a well-known attorney and jus-
tice of the peace in Jefferson County, was born in
Petersburg, Va. , on November 2, 18-1:3, being a
son of Joseph W. and Mary S. (Heath) Ormsby,
the former a native of Wells River, Conn. , and the
mother from Petersburg, Va. The Ormsbys are
of Scotch origin, whose forefathers came over in
the Mayflower and landed at Plymouth Rock, after-
ward settling in Connecticut, and in later years
spreading throughout New York, New Jersey and
other States. The family have always been people
of prominence, the father having been one of the
most notable lawyers of his day, and practiced
with such men as Douglas and Lincoln, the one a
great statesman and the other our martyred Presi-
dent. In 1845 Josejih W. Ormsby moved to
Illinois and settled in Exeter, Scott County, where
he practiced his profession, and became one of the
best criminal lawyers in the State, representing
his county in the legislature for several terms.
His death occurred in Adrian, Mich. On the
mother's side the family were of equal prominence
in Virginia. They were the parents of only one
child, T. J. Ormsby, who remained with his mother
until her death at Pine Bluff. T. J. Ormsby first
came to Arkansas in 1858 and located in Ashley
County. In 1861, when seventeen years of age,
he enlisted in the First Arkansas Regiment, with
the rank of first lieutenant, and served three
years through the war. He was wounded at Mur-
freesboro by a rifle ball in the right hand, and
between Ghickamauga and Atlanta received a bul-
let in his left hand. He was captured a short
distance below Corinth and confined, but daringly
made his escape one night amid a shower of lead
from his guards. He afterward took part in the
battles of Farmersville, Chickamauga, Missionary
Ridge, Atlanta, Ga. , Ft. Mumford and Perry-
ville. In 1867 he came to Pine Bluff and was
engaged by F. G. Smart as book-keeper, remain-
ing with him for one year. He was then connected
with various firms in the same capacity for five
years, and for six years following embarked in
general merchandise on his own account. During
this time he diligently studied law, and in Novem-
ber, 1880, was licensed to practice in the circuit
court. In November of the following year he was
admitted to the United States court, and in April,
1888, to the supreme court. Mr. Ormsby has
served as county judge on special occasions, and
for fourteen years has held the office of justice of
the peace, filling that position with dignity and
wisdom. During the Brooks Baxter troubles he
received a commission from Gov. Brooks as first
lieutenant of State militia, and afterward was
promoted to the rank of captain, in which capacity
he commanded two companies. For the past five
or six years he has made the profession of law his
entire study, and to-day stands without a peer in
Jefferson County. Mr. Ormsby has accumulated
considerable real estate in Pine Bluff from which
he derives a good income. He has never been
married, and from all appearances is too well con-
tented with his life of bachelor ease to part with it
for connubial bliss. In secret societies he is a
member of the I. O. O. F. , and has represented
his lodge at the grand lodge, besides having passed
all the chairs. He also belongs to the Masonic
fraternity and takes quite a prominent jiart in the
affairs of that order.
Judge J. W. Owen, county and probate judge,
Pine Bluff, Ark. Originally from Jefferson Coun-
ty, 111., Judge Owen was born on December 29,
1840, and is the son of Edward and Sarah (Allen)
Owen, natives of the Old Dominion. The parents
were married in Tennessee, and subsequently
moved to Illinois, locating in Jefferson County.
The father was a prominent agriculturist, and this
JEFFEESON COUNTY.
203
pursuit carried on until bis death, which occurred
in 1887, at the age of eighty-eight years. He was
in the Black Hawk War. The mother died in
1846. They were the parents of seven children,
three of whom are living at the present time. By
his second marriage the father had two children,
one now living. Judge J. W. Owen was reared
on his father's farm, and received a good practical
education in the schools of Illinois. At the age of
sixteen he left the parental roof and went overland
with a stock train to California, where he remained
until after the war. While in that State he en-
gaged in mining at Virginia City, when the silver
mines were first discovered, and this continued
until the war broke out. He then joined the Cali-
fornia Hundred, or Company A, Second Massa-
chusetts Cavalry, at San Francisco, and went to
Boston, Mass., paying, his own way. Enlisting as
a private, he was promoted to the rank of first
lieutenant of his company, and was also commis-
sioned captain, but being wounded at the battle
of Cedar Creek, Shenandoah Valley, in 1864, was
never sworn in. He participated in the battles of
Gettysburg, Wilderness, and was in the Army of
the Potomac. He was twice wounded at Cedar
Creek and once by a bayonet at Williamsburg, Va. ,
lying in the hospital for about nine months at
different points, and when the war closed he came
home to Illinois. Out of his company there were
but fifteen men left alive, and but one man died
of disease. Mr. Owen was twice captured, but
made his escape both times before he could be
gotten to prison. After going home he engaged
in railroading and was a contractor on grading,
which he continued until 1870, when he came to
Pine Bluff. He located at Corner Stone, Jeffer-
son County, engaged in merchandising and farm-
ing, and this carried on until the fall of 1886,
when he was put on the ticket for county judge, he
not even knowing that such a thing was going to be.
He at first refused to be nominated, but after con-
siderable persuasion was prevailed upon to do so
by his friends, and was elected by a handsome
majority. Although a Republican politically, he
has won a vast number of friends, who have stood
by him, and at the re-election in 1888 he had no !
opponent. The Judge is a man whose decisions
are not made without careful and painstaking
study of the evidence adduced, but on the con
trary all feel that his judgment can be relied upon.
He is one of the most efiicient officials the county
has ever had. When first elected to the position
of judge the county had $46,000 script out. but
it is now clear of debt and has over $5,000 in the
treasury, which will be increased to $30,000 at
the next tax paying. He has now a move on foot
for the erection of a new court house and jail, and
no doubt the work will soon be begun. While
living at Corner Stone he was magistrate, and
filled the duties incumbent upon that office ably
and well for ten years. He was married, in 1866,
to Miss Nannie B. Collins, a native of the Old
Dominion.
Melvin Parse (deceased). Among the well-
known and highly -esteemed business men of Pine
Bluff was Mr. Parse, who was born in Ohio in
1838, and died in May, 1882. He left the paren-
tal roof at the age of fifteen or sixteen years, and
went to Cincinnati, where he learned the jeweler's
trade, subsequently, on turning from Ohio, set-
tling at Cairo, 111., and thence to Arkansas in 1857
or 1858. He located at Pine Bluff, and engaged
in the jeweler's business, carrying on a successful
trade until his patriotic instincts led him to join
the United States army in the late war, and be
enlisted in 1862, serviog till the close. He re-
turned to Pine Bluff upon the cessation of hostil-
ities, and in 1868 was married to his second wife
and surviving widow, Mrs. Mary (Elliott) Coustey,
who still carries on the business left by her bus-
liand. She is a very estimable lady, and a member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which she
is active and prominent, as was Mr. Parse in his
lifetime. The latter was much interested in po-
litical events, though not an office holder. There
were no children by her last marriage, but Mrs.
Parse bad a daughter by her former husband, Mary,
who married Harry H. Shinn, a photographer of
Pine Bluff. She died June 1, 1889, leaving two
children, Hallie and Mary, who are living with
their grandmother. Mrs. Parse is a native of Vir-
ginia. When a child, she moved to Mississippi
204
HISTOEY OF ARKANSAS.
with her parents, and when grown, to Louisiana,
in 18B6 coming to Arkansas. She was the daugh-
ter of Simeon and Eliza Elliott, of Virginia. The
father died in Mississippi in 1851, and the mother
in 1860, at this place. There were five children
in this family, only two of whom are now living,
both of Pine Bluflf. Anna, the wife of G. W.
Prigmore, died in 1878, leaving two children; her
husband died in 1887.
Henry C. Phillips, not unknown to the many
citizens of Jefferson County, was born on January
30, 1844, in Conway County, Ark., and is the
son of Nelson and Minerva (Vandyke) Phillips, of
North Carolina and Georgia, respectively, the
former dying in Jefferson County, Ark., in 1855,
at the age of fifty-five years, and the mother
in 1859, when thirty seven years of age. The
parents were married in Conway County, which
they made their home until the year 1847, when
they moved to Jefferson County, and located on the
farm now occupied by Thomas H. Collier. This
section of the country was then very thinly settled,
and what few families did reside here were con-
stantly terrorized by outlaws and desperadoes. It
was from an encounter with one of these men that
the elder Phillips received a wound from which he
never fully recovered, and died nineteen years later.
He opened up one of the first farms in that sec-
tion, and also operated a gin. After his death his
widow married a Mr. C. H. Price, and moved to
what is now Colton Center, where she resided un-
til her death. In politics, the father was a Whig,
and in secret societies, a Mason of high standing.
He was a saddler and harness-maker by trade, but
turned his attention more to farming than anything
else. The Vandyke family were of Dutch origin.
Seven children were born to the elder Phillips and
his wife, of whom four are yet living: Henry C,
Charles E. (a banker in Hillsboro, Tex.), Thomas
M. (a farmer in Jefferson County) and Thaddeus
C. (a banker in the State of Texas). Those de-
ceased are Mary A. , an infant and Nelson. Henry
C. was educated in the schools of Jefferson County,
and continued his studies until shortly after his
mother's death. He then went to work for a
neighbor, and remained with him until March,
1861, when he joined the Confederate army, and
enlisted in G. W. CaiToll's company of the Eight-
eenth Arkansas Infantry, as a private soldier. He
operated generally east of the Mississippi River
until the surrender of Port Hudson, and then he
was transferred to the western territory. During
his service Mr. Phillips took part in a great many
battles: The evacuation of Corinth, the second
battle at that place, luka, Port Hudson, and on
the western side of the river he was assigned to
the quartermaster's department, taking part in a
number of raids and minor engagements. After
the war he turned his attention to farming, but in
1871 entered into commercial life near Rob Roy,
which he carried on until the year 1882, when his
farming interests demanded his exclusive attention.
Upon leaving the army he was practically bank-
rupt, and the struggle against adversity up to 1871
was a bitter one, but since that year the tide of
fortune seems to have turned in his favor, and he
is now in a prosperous and independent position.
He owns about 655 acres of very fertile land, and
has placed some 230 acres under cultivation. In
1866 he was married to Miss Emma A. Poole, of
Jefferson County, who died two years later, leav-
ing two children, both deceased since. In politics,
Mr. Phillips is and always has been a stanch Dem-
ocrat. He was elected justice of the peace, and
filled that ofiice for a number of years with great
credit, winning the admiration and esteem of every
citizen in his county.
Albert G. Pierce, one of the most prominent of
old settlers in Jefferson County, was born in Edge-
field District, South Carolina, on May 17, 1824,
and is a son of Benjamin and Rachel (Rambo)
Pierce, of Pennsylvania and South Carolina, re-
spectively. The father was of English descent and
a painter by trade, and followed that calling until
his death in Hamburg, S. C. Some time after his
decease his widow was married to Mr. William
Weir, who died in Jefferson County at the age of
seventy years. Four children were born to her
first marriage, of whom two are yet living: John
(a prosperous farmer in Georgia) and Albert G.
(the principal of this sketch). She became the
mother of six children by her second marriage, of
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
205
whom three died in infancy and three lost their
lives while fighting under the stars and bars dur-
ing the Rebellion. Albert G. remained with his
mother until he had reached his twenty- fourth
year, when he commenced in life for himself. His
first venture was at farming, and he received $75 for
his services the first year. He continued to work
for others until the year 1853, when he purchased
a piece of land with the money he had earned, and
commenced farming on his own land. On June
26 of the same year he was married to Miss
Martha B. Moore, of Rutherford County, Tenn. ,
by whom he had three children, of whom two
are yet living: John B. (who is at present man-
aging his father's farm) and Fannie F. (wife of
Felix Thompson). Mrs. Pierce was born August
6, 1829, and died in Jefferson County, Ark., on
August 19, 1872, a firm believer in the Methodist
Episcopal Church. In 1874 he married Mrs. Mary
(Moore) Morrow, a sister of his first wife, and
widow of John Morrow, of Jefferson County, but
a second time the fates decreed that Mr. Pierce
should become a widower, and this wife died in
1885. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, an upright moral man, and a trus-
tee in Bethlehem Church. During the war his
sympathies were with the Southern States, and he
joined the Confederate service for a brief period,
but his natural aversion to the shedding of human
blood, and his horror at seeing hundreds of his
fellow-beings slaughtered around him, induced him
to quit the ranks. Mr. Pierce is looked upon with
the genuine respect that comes to all men of his class.
Honesty, industry and perseverance have formed
his motto through life, and his strict adherence to
these principles have crowned him with success.
John B. Pierce, who manages his father's farm, is
conceded to be a promising young man of Jeffer-
son County. He was married to Miss Lummie
Hudgens, a daughter of John A. Hudgens, of
Jefferson County, whose name is too well known
to need any comment. Two children were born to
Mr. John B. Pierce and wife: Ambrose Garland
and John A. (the latter deceased). They are both
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, and in politics Mr. Pierce is a Democrat.
Jesse W. Pitts (deceased), one of the leading
men of Arkansas, and a representative farmer and
citizen of Jefferson County, was born in Davidson
County, Tenn., near the city of Nashville, Octo-
ber 12, 1831, where he continued to reside until
twenty-one years of age. His education was ac-
quired at the schools of Nashville. His parents
were both natives of Tennessee. His father, Jesse
B. Pitts, was born in 1796, and died in Nashville,
in 1868, and the mother of Mr. Pitts was Nancy
Pitts, born in 1803, and died in Nashville in Feb-
ruary, 1889. They were members of the Methodist
Church, and were eminently and highly respected.
Arriving at his majority, Jesse W. Pitts came to
Arkansas, and engaged in planting in Jefferson
County about five miles down the river from Pine
Bluff, where he resided until his death, July 9,
1884. His great success in life proved him to be
one of the best farmers and financial managers in
this part of the State, and at the time of his death
he owned about 1,200 acres of land, of which 800
acres were under cultivation. In 1868 he was
united in marriage with Mrs. S. A. Jarvis. for-
merly Miss Smith, daughter and youngest child of
Anderson and Nancy (Adkins) Smith, who came to
Arkansas in an early day and settled on a planta-
tion near Pine Bluff. Here her mother died about
1843, antl her father in 1873. Mrs. Pitts has three
living children, viz. : Floyd A. and Don A. Jar-
vis, by her first marriage, and Nettie Pitts (now
the wife of Leo M. Andrews) by her second mar-
riage. Mr. Pitts was a Presbyterian, a faithful
friend and neighbor, a distinguished gentleman,
and by his death the county lost one of its best
citizens.
Col. Joe C. Pleasants, the subject of this sketch,
a native of Virginia, and the youngest of eleven
children, was of English extraction, his ancestors
having arrived on these shores with the "Pilgrim
Fathers." He was born in Louisa County, Va. ,
on April 14, 1817. He had every educational
advantage which the times afforded, and was al-
ways an eager and appreciative student, fully
abreast with the progress of the period, and eager
]y looking forward to greater development. He
possessed a fine physique, being six feet four
206
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
inches tall, and of splendid symmetry. He was
married March 14, 1839, to Miss Minerva Ann
Phillips, of Caroline County, Va. In the year 1844
he moved by private conveyance from Virginia to
Arkansas, and settled on Crowley's Ridge, in
Phillips County, about twelve miles from the (now)
city of Helena. There he built a pleasant home,
but, being possessed with a roving disposition, he
sold out and moved again, opening and selling
farm after farm, until in 1858 he bought of Gen.
William Ashley, of Little Rock, the family's pres-
ent home in Arkansas County, on Arkansas River.
Here he opened wild land and planted a snug
home. He also built about three miles of State
levee, for which he received a liberal remuneration,
and prospered without interruption until the Civil
War broke out in 1861. Espousing the Southern
cause from the beginning, he was aid to Gen.
Hardee east of the Mississippi River for some
time, but after the battle of Shiloh was transferred
to the Trans-Mississippi department, and was col-
onel of the First Trans-Mississippi Regiment
(infantry); his son, Henry C. Pleasants, com-
manded a company under him. Col. Pleasants
was a model officer, and his men loved liim as a
father. He was wounded while leading a heroic
charge at the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark., and
died from the effects of it December 30, 1862.
By his dying request he was brought home and
buried amid the objects he most loved in life. In
April of the following year his third daughter, a
lovely child of seven summers, died, and was
buried by his side. In July following Capt. Henry
C. Pleasants, his only living son, was wounded in
the battle of Helena, Ark., while leading his com-
pany in a desperate charge, and died in a hospital
in the city of Memphis July 30, 1863, aged nine-
teen years and six months. He was one of the
noblest of men. His family know not where he
sleeps, but are sure the angels of God hold the
key to his grave. Mrs. Pleasants, a sainted wife
and mother, died in Little Rock December 12,
1876. The world was better because of her hav-
ing lived in it. Only three of their seven chil-
dren are living; Helen P. McDaniel (the oldest),
Anna W. Jacobs (the fourth child), and Katie J.
Pleasants (the youngest). Mrs. McDaniel and
Miss Katie live at the old home amid familiar and
dear associations, but Mrs. Jacobs sold her share
to strangers, and now resides in Little River
County, Ark., near the Texas line. Mrs. McDan-
iel is a widow, with two children: Joseph and
Minerva. Mrs. Jacob has five children. All of
them bid fair to make useful members of society.
James F. Quattlebaum, a leading planter of
Central Arkansas, and a prominent resident of
Jefferson County, was born in Edgefield District,
South Carolina, on -December 14, 1854. He is a
son of Henry M. and Louisa (Miller) Quattlebaum,
of Edgefield and Lawrence Districts in the same
State. The parents were there married and re-
sided until 1861, when they moved to Arkansas
and located in Jefferson County. The father was
a very successful farmer during his life, and had
the reputation of being one of the best in the
State. In ante-bellum days he was an overseer on
some of the largest plantations in his native State.
His sympathies were with the Union before and
during the struggle, and his strong denunciation
of secession won the hatred of many Southerners,
but his principle never changed even in the face
of the strongest opposition, and his cause was vin-
dicated by the total overthrow of the Confederacy.
His death occurred in 1872 at the age of forty-
seven years, in Jefferson County, his wife dying
before him in January, 1869. The mother was a
devout Christian woman and a member of the
Baptist Church, but attended service in the Method-
ist Church as there was none of the Baptist creed
in her neighborhood. The father was married
three times and was the sire of twelve children, of
whom seven are yet living: Martha A. (wife of
W. F. Lindsey, a promising planter of Arkansas
County), James F., Ada E. (wife of J. M. Barrett,
a well known farmer of Jefferson County), Lee M.
(a merchant in Lincoln County), Jones D. (a farmer
and salesman in Jefferson County), Lawrence M.
(residing with father) and Henry M. (also at home
with his father). James F. received a good public
school education, and early in life was taught self-
reliance and industry. After the death of his
father, the care of the family devolved upon him
JEFFEBSON COUNTY.
207
as the eldest son, and be looked out for their main-
tenance and education in a manner that is deserv-
ing of the greatest credit. He commenced farm-
ing in 1874 and now owns 620 acres of land with
120 acres under cultivation, and has been one of
the most successful planters in his county. In
September, 1882, he was married to Miss Sallie
Wheat, a daughter of A. J. Wheat, of Pine BlufP.
by whom he had four children, one living and
three dead, the first named Frank and the latter
Horace M. , John P. and Mary L. In politics Mr.
Quattlebaum is a Democrat and stanch supporter
of his party in that section. In 1879 he was elected
constable and filled the office for almost two
years. He was next elected justice of the peace
and served nearly six years. Mr. Quattlebaum is
one of the foremost citizens of Jefferson County,
and a man much admired for his personal worth.
He is active in all public and private enterprises
for the good of his county, and is popular through-
out that entire section.
Judge Lewis S. Reed, farmer. Dexter, Ark.
This prominent and much esteemed citizen was born
in North Carolina, July 11, 1818, and is the son of
Roily Reed, who is also a native of North Caro-
lina, born in December, 1799. The father grew
to manhood in his native State and was there mar-
ried to Miss Charity Phillips in 1817, which union
resulted in the birth of thirteen children, seven
sons and six daughters. Eight of these children
are now living, seven residing in Arkansas and
one at Springfield, Mo. The father followed
agricultural pursuits as a livelihood, and was the
owner of 160 acres of good land at the time of his
death which occurred in 1868. His wife followed
him to the grave about two years later. Both
were members of the Baptist Church. Judge L.
S. Reed was educated near Lexington, Tenn. , and
passed his boyhood days in assisting his father on
the farm. After reaching manhood he selected
Miss Lydia Teague as his companion in life, and
was married to her September 24, 1840. She was
originally from North Carolina, and the daughter
of Isaac and Mary Teague. Judge Reed's union
was blessed by the birth of eleven children, two
sons and nine daughters : Mary L. , Martha C. ,
Sarah F.. Amanda C, Nancy H. , Thomas Z.,
Irvin W., Elizabeth S. and Lynnia. The others
died in infancy. Of the ones above named only
four are now living: Martha (wife of Jasper
Phillips), Amanda (wife of A. S. Thayer), Nancy
(wife of Samuel Evans), and Thomas Z. Judge
Reed is a successful farmer by occupation, and is
also engaged in the blacksmith trade. He owns
about 1,000 acres of good land, with 120 acres
under cultivation, and is also the owner of a saw-
mill, a gin and a gristmill on his place. He has
held the office of justice of the peace for about
thirty years, and for two years has served in the
capacity of county and probate judge. Both he
and wife have held a membership in the Baptist
Church for forty years.
Dr. J. M, Reynolds, Redfield, Ark. In select-
ing a calling in life Dr. Reynolds has happily
chosen one for which he is eminently fitted and in
which he standsprominently toward the front rank.
Originally from the Blue Grass State, his birth
occurred there on February 6, 1847, and he is
the son of M. B. Reynolds, who was born in the
same State in 1816. In 1843 the father married
Miss Lurilda Thompson, and they became the par-
ents of twelve children, nine sons and three daugh-
ters, of whom but seven are now living, all resid-
ing in Arkansas. The father was a boot and shoe-
maker by trade, and he is still living and makes
his home with the Doctor. His wife died in Janu-
ary, 1875. He is active in political affairs, and is
a strong Democrat. He is a member of the Chris-
tian Church as was also his wife. J. M. Reynolds
secured a good practical education in the schools
of Harrodsburg, Ky., and subsequently attended
medical lectures at Louisville, Ky. , where he grad-
uated in the class of 1882. He moved to Illinois
in 1869, and there married Miss Caroline Dickey
March 17, 1872. She was the daughter of Rev.
David and Nancy Dickey, who were natives of
Georgia. To the Doctor and wife were born seven
children, three sons and four daughters, six of
whom are still living: Monroe B. , Mattie S., Eva
A., Sarah J., Joseph M. and Virginia C. The
Doctor has practiced his profession for eighteen
years and has met with the success due his efforts.
208
HISTOEY OF AEKANSAS.
He has been a member of the Masonic Lodge for
about three years, and has held, the of&ce of justice
of the peace and school director, the latter office
for about six years. He entered the Union army
under Col. Faulkner in 1862, and his first note-
worthy engagement was at Chickamauga, where he
was slightly wounded three times. He was dis-
charged at Louisville, Ky. , on September 6, 1865,
after which he returned to his home and entered
upon the practice of his profession. He moved
from Illinois to Arkansas in 1872, and located at
Wrightsville, where he laid out the town by that
name in 1873. He subsequently acted as the first
postmaster. He moved to Redfield in 1881, and
has resided there ever since. Mrs. Reynolds is a
member of the Baptist Church.
D. B. Riggin, dealer in all kinds of lumber and
general furnishings, such as sash, doors and
mouldings, was born near Baltimore, Md. , in 1845,
being the son of George W. and Martha (Rounds)
Riggin. The father, a farmer by calling, was
born in 1808, and is still living; the mother, whose
biith occurred in 1804, died in 1865, a member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church. She had borne
eight children, sevea of whom are now living, and
of these our subject was next to the youngest.
The latter was reared to farm life, and at the age
of twenty-one commenced working at carpentering,
serving several years for small pay till his trade
was learned In 1871 he came to Pine Bluff and
worked by the day at his adopted vocation until
1877, when he engaged in saw-milling, generally,
which business he has since followed, in connec-
tion with contractiug and building. Mr. Riggin
is one of the self-made, energetic men of this por-
tion of the State, and by hard and earnest work has
made for himself a name among other worthy in-
dividuals. He is now the proprietor of the Star
Planing & Shingle Mills, an establishment adding
substantially to the material interests of Pine
Bluff. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and
Knights of Honor. In 1881 Mr. Riggin married
Miss Katie Stephens, daughter of A. J. Stephens
(deceased). To them have been born three chil-
dren: George A. and Katie Belle, now living, and
John H. (deceased).
Capt. J. F. Ritchie is a real estate dealer at
Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Ark. He was born
in Dallas County, Ala. , in May, 1836. and was
a son of John C. and Jane (Campbell) Ritchie,
natives of South Carolina and Tennessee, respect-
ively. The family is of Scotch descent on the
father's side, and of Irish descent on the mother's
side. His great-grandfather on the mother's side
emigrated to America with two brothers, he set-
tling in Virginia, while his brothers located in the
North. This ancestor was in the Revolutionary
War, and died in Virginia. The father of John
C. Ritchie (William Ritchie) was a farmer, served
in the War of 1812, and died in South Carolina.
John C. Ritchie and wife were married in Ala-
bama, emigrated to Mississippi in 1840, and in
1856 came to Arkansas, when they located in
Bradley County, where he opened up a store and
also carried on a plantation. He died in Ouachita
County, Ark., in the year 1861, being at that time
probate judge of that county, which office he held
for twelve or fifteen years. His wife is yet living
and resides in Camden, Ark. There are six chil-
dren of that family still alive: James F., George
L., JohnC, Fannie (now Mrs. White), Mrs. W.
K. Ramsey, and Mrs. Charles Gordon. Mr. J.
F. Ritchie was raised in Mississippi, educated in
the common schools of that State, and at the age
of nineteen began the study of law, and in 1857
was admitted to the bar of Itawamba, Miss. The
following year he removed to Calhoun County,
where he practiced until 1860, when he was elected
to the office of land attorney and State collector,
which was paying him about $20,000 per annum, he
being only a young man of twenty four, but the war
breaking out, he felt it his duty to enter the ser-
vice, and the following year enlisted in the Capital
Guards of Little Rock. In the same year he was
elected to lieutenantcy of Deshar Battalion, and in
1862. after the battle of Shiloh. when his company
was consolidated with the Eighth Arkansas, he was
made captain, which position he filled until he was
wounded at the battle of Murfreesboro, by his right
arm being shot entirely away, being taken off
about half way between elbow and shoulder. He
was left on the battlefield and was then taken pris-
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
209
ouer, but fortunately fell into good hands where
he was kindly treated. He was finally paroled,
after having been in four hard fought battles.
After his exchange, he returned home and re-
sumed his practice. He then removed to Camden,
Ark., and in 1866 was elected district attorney,
which office he held until after the reconstruction
of the district. Capt. Ritchie remained there until
1874, when he went to Hot Springs, where he kept
hotel for five years. In 1878 he came to Pine
BlufP, and again engaged in the hotel business, in
which occupation he continued until 1884. since
which time he has been interested in the real estate
business. He owns 1,000 acres of land, with over
200 acres under cultivation. Capt. Ritchie has a
very extensive real estate business, and has made
a host of friends, being always courteous, kind
and genial to all, and never forgets a kind
act. He was married, in 1864, to Maria E. Pow-
ell, a native of Alabama, and by whom he has
three children: AV'attie, Edgar aud'Sallie. Mr.
Ritchie and his wife are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. He is also a member of the
Masonic lodge, and belongs to several insurance
orders.
N. T. Roberts, the present efficient county clerk
of Jefferson County. Ark., was born in Greene
County, Ala., in Ju.ne, 1836, being the son of John
and Martha (Jones) Roberts, of North Carolina and
Alabama, respectively. John Roberts, a native of
Edenton, N. C, was married about 1829 in Ala-
bama, where he lived until 1852, when he came to
JefPerson County, Ark., with a brother-ia-law, John
M. Jones, and purchased a tract of land where Wab-
baseka now stands, on the Texas & St. Louis Rail-
road. It is at this time in possession of Capt. Rob-
erts and his brother. John C. The tract, which con-
sists of 634 acres, was then very wild land, with but
seventeen acres cleared, a log house being the only
improvement. There are now 800 acres under
cultivation. The land was first located in 1844,
by Jordan Embree, during the great overflow of
that year. The parents of our subject had six
children, only two of whom are living, N. T. and
John C. John Roberts, Sr. , was a planter, and
followed that occupation until his death, which
occurred at the age of seventy-four. N. T. Rob-
erts was reared on the farm, and educated in a
private school at Buchanan, Va. In 1860 he came
to Pulaski County, Ark., and engaged in farm-
ing until the war broke out, when, in 1861, he
enlisted in Company G. , of Pulaski cavalry. At
the organization of the First Arkansas Mounted
Rifles he was chosen sergeant-major, and was ap-
pointed first lieutenant and also assigned as adju-
tant of the same. He held this appointment until
May, 186i^, when he was appointed captain in the
Provisional army, and was assigned to the com-
mand of his regiment and companj% a position
which he filled until January, 1863, when he was
ordered to report to Gen. Smith, in the Trans-
Mississippi department, remaining there until the
close of the war, in the meantime having been
ordered to raise a company of scouts inside the
Federal lines and there to operate until further
orders. Prior to Price's Missouri raid, being di-
rected to report to Gen. James F. Fagan, com-
manding the Arkansas cavalry, he was put in
command of four companies, forming his advance
guard, and was on this duty until the surrender.
At the battle of Oak Hills, Capt. Roberts was
wounded (August 10, 1861) by a gunshot through
both shoulders, and was ott' duty six months. He
was in a number of important battles and several
skirmishes. From 1865 to 1884 he engaged in
farming. He came to Jefferson County in 1868,
and has since been a resident here. In 1884 he
was elected to his present office, and has been twice
elected successively since, filling the office with
honor and credit. He was first married, in 1867
to Miss Lucy Jones, who died in 1868. In 1880
he took for his second wife Miss Florence White
of Pine Bluff', by whom he has one son. King Tal
mage. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He is also a
member of the Masonic order, and has taken de-
grees in the Mystic Shrine. He is popular and
highly esteemed, and an important factor in the
develof)ment of this community.
J. C. Roberts, farmer, Wabbaseka, Ark.
Among the many influential and substantial citi-
zens of Jefferson County none are more prom-
210
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
inently identified with its agricultural interests than
Mr. Roberts. His birth occurred in Alabama, on
June 14, 1842, and he received a good practical
education in that State. His marriage to Miss
Lelia B. Clement, a native of Alabama, took place
October 6, 1871, and to this union have been born
seven children, three sons and four daughters, six
of whom are still living: Bettie C, Agnes, Fannie
I., Mary E., Nathaniel T. (who died in early
youth), John C, and Charley W. Early in life
Mr. Roberts was initiated into the mysteries of
farm life, and this pursuit he has since followed.
He is the owner of 989 acres of good land, 500
acres of which are under cultivation, all in Jeffer-
son County. He is a member of the Episcopal
and his wife of the Methodist Church, and both
are liberal supporters of all worthy enterprises.
The parents of Mr. Roberts, John and Martha
(Jones) Roberts, were natives of Raleigh, N. C. ,
and Alabama, respectively, the father born in 1806.
He moved from North Carolina to Alabama in 1824,
and there married Miss Jones, who bore him sis
children, three sons and three daughters, two of
whom survive, and both are residents of this State.
He was a farmer, and was the owner of about 300
acres of good land. His wife died in 1847, and
he in 1877. They were members of the Baptist
Church.
John Rowsey is a native Arkansan, and a man
of quite extensive acquaintance hereabouts, having
been born near his present residence in 1838.
Anthony Rowsey, his father, of Alabama nativity,
came to this State in 1835, locating in Old River
Township, where he married Salina Hassington, of
Arkansas, and where he lived the life of a farmer
till his death in 1886, at the age of seventy years.
He was a very quiet man, but energetic and in-
dustrious, and devoted to his farm work, in which
he took especial delight. The mother died in 1853
or 1854. There were nine children born to this
union, three of whom grew to maturity, and of
these our subject is the only survivor. By the
father's second marriage there was one child, Mary
R. , now ^rs. J. V. Sink, of Illinois. His third
marriage was to Miss Angeline A. Butler, who is
still living in this townshi]), on a farm which she
owns. The life of the subject of this sketch has
been spent in this township, with the exception of
two years in Jefferson County, and the time he
served in the war. He was a brave soldier in the
Confederate service for four years, participating
in the battles of Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Atlanta,
and numerous minor engagements. At Jonesboro,
Ga. , he was taken prisoner, sent to Nashville,
Tenn., and exchanged. Although struck three
times he was not seriously wounded. After the
war ended he came home and resumed his farm
work, and in 1880 married Mrs. Margaret S. Mc-
Kinzie, who was formerly Miss Nicks, born and
reared in this township. She had then five chil-
dren: Henry J., Bennie and Edna; Alice and
Ruth (deceased). To Mr. and Mrs. Rowsey were
born two children, an infant, who died, and Nancy,
now aged five years. Mrs. Rowsey died in 1885,
and our subject subsequently married Miss Mittie
H. Diamond, a native of this State. They have
one child living, John G. For eight years Mr.
Rowsey was postmaster at Swan Lake, and has
served as constable of his township. Politically
he is a Democrat, and of decided worth and merit
in the prominent interests of this locality.
William E. Sallee, merchant. Redtield, Ark.
Mr. Sallee, one of the substantial business men of
Jefferson County, is a native of Campbell County,
Ky. , and was born on August 4, 1844. His par-
ents were Thomas and Maria A. (Lacy) Sallee.
The father was born in Bracken County, Ky.,
in 1809, and was there married to Miss Lacy, the
daughter of William and Maria A. Lacy, in 1838.
The fruits of this union were eight children, three
sons and live daughters, five of whom are still liv-
ing, two sons and three daughters. Mr. Sallee
followed the occupation of a farmer, and owned a
good farm of about 900 acres with 250 acres under
cultivation. He was a member of the Masonic
fraternity, in which he held a membership for
forty-six years, filling eveiy official position. He
died on March 19, 1876, and his wife Novem-
ber 16, 1886. Both were members of the Christ-
ian Church. William E. Sallee was educated
in Kentucky, near California, but in 1808 left
his native State and moved to Arkansas, where he
JEFFEKSON COUNTY.
211
married Miss Sarah M. Johnson in October, 1875.
She is the daughter of Judge Willis and Elizabeth
Johnson. To Mr. and Mrs. Sallee have been born
four children, three sons and a daughter, but one
is now deceased. They were named as follows:
Willis T., Littleton E., Ben L. and Icy L. Mr.
Sallee is engaged successfully in mercantile pur-
suits at this time, the firm title being Sallee & Co.
Their cajjital is about $8,000. He has been a i
member of the Masonic order for twenty-four years
and has held the olifices of junior and senior warden.
He has been school director for six years. He is a
member of the Christian and his wife of the Pres-
byterian Church.
H. W. Scull, a prominent citizen of Jefferson
County, now practically retired from active busi-
ness life, was born in that county on March 12,
1834, and is a son of James and Mannette (Vau-
gine) Scull, the former a native of England and
the latter from Louisiana. The father came to
America with three other brothers at an early
period and first settled in Philadelphia. They re-
mained in that city a short time and then sepa-
rated, each one going in a different direction. As
early as 1809 a record of the elder Scull is found
in Arkansas County, where he kept a trading post
for the Indians. He was one of the first shippers
from that section, and found a market for his goods
at New Orleans. His son, H. W., has in his pos-
session his father' s old account book which he kept
during the year 1809-10, and in which only one
entry for medicine is found, that being for a
bottle of paregoric. Coffee, sugar and other lux-
uries were sold at fabulous prices in that region,
and these articles the elder Scull shipi^ed in large
quantities to the Osage and other tribes. After
leaving Arkansas County he moved to Jefferson
County, where he was also one of its earliest set-
tlers, the country then being a vast wilderness and
inhabited almost entirely by savages and wild
beasts. While at Arkansas Post he was an exten-
sive shipper of furs, but upon coming to Jefferson
County turned his attention to farming, and fol-
lowed that calling with great success. His death
occurred on July 3, 1846, when sixty-four years of
age, while the mother died on February 8, 1859,
in her sixty-fifth year. They were the parents of
ten children: James (deceased), Ben M. (deceased),
William (deceased), Eliza, (deceased), Louisiana,
P. (widow), Mary H. (deceased), Joseph B. (de-
ceased), Anna M. (widow), Hewes B. (deceased,)
and Henry W. (the principal of this sketch).
Henry W. Scull was reared on his father's farm,
and received a liberal education in the common
schools of his native county, afterward graduating
at Centre College, Danville, Ky. When twenty
years of age he entered a business house at Pine
Bluff, where he occupied a position of trust for
several years. He afterward formed a partnership
under the firm name of Scull, Donaldson & Co. , .
dealers in general merchandise, but the Civil War
commencing forced them to dissolve the firm. Mr.
Scull then enlisted in the Jeft'erson Guards, com-
manded by Capt. Charles Carleton, and served
four years through the war, taking part in a num-
ber of important battles and skirmishes, but for
the greater part of the time was connected with the
pay department. After the war he came to Pine
Bluff stripped of everything, and was compelled
to accept a subordinate position in a mercantile
establishment at that city, where he gradually rose
and remained for a number of years. For the
past five or six years he has turned his attention
entirely to real estate, in which he has been very
successful and now owns considerable property in
Pine Bluff' and vicinity. On May 16, 1866, he was
married to Miss Laura J. King, of Helena, Ark.,
by whom he has two children: Millie M. (wife of
\\'illiam I. Haizlip) and Julia. Mrs. Scull died
in 1873, after proving herself a devoted wife and
mother. Mr. Scull is a member of the Masonic
fraternity. Knights of Honor, Knights of Pythias
and Royal Arcanum. He has done much to ad-
vance and develop the interests of his county, and
is one of the most popular citizens in that section.
W. J. Shelby, another progressive farmer and
stock raiser of Jeft'erson County, Ark., is a native
of that county, born on September 14, 1851,
and is one of seven children, five sons and two
daughters, born to the union of A. G. and Eliza
(Henry) Shelby. A. G. Shelby was born in Tip-
pah County, Miss., in the year 1823, receiving his
212
HISTOEY OF AEKANSAS.
education in the same State. He moved to Ar-
kansas in 1845, and was there married to ' Mias
Henry in 1850. Of their family of children only
four are now living (all in this State), whose names
are as follows: George A., Charley B., Maud M.
and W. J. The father was an agriculturist by
occupation, owning about 160 acres of good land,
and this was left in the hands of his wife at the
time of his death, which occurred on December
20, 1875. Mrs. Shelby is still living and resides
with her son, W. J. Shelby. A. G. Shelby served
in the late war, entering the ranks in 1862 under
Gen. Hindman, and was captured at Pine Bluff in
1864. He was paroled, returned home, and the
same year removed to Illinois, where he remained
until 1865, and then returned to his former place
of residence where his death occurred. His wife
is a member of the Methodist Church, South.
W. J. Shelby received his education in Jefferson
County, Ark. , and since his youthful days has fol-
lowed the occupation of farmer, being now the
owner of 200 acres of land, 120 acres of which are
cultivated. He, like his father, held a member-
ship in the Grange, and is a liberal contributor to
all charitable and laudable enterprises.
Albert R. Sherrill, M. D., is a physician of
Jefferson County whose eminence has attained
that degree in which he is almost satisfied to rest
on his laurels, but still keeps steadily on in his
noble profession, owing to the urgent calls made
upon him. He was born in' Wilson County, Tenn.,
on the 26th of February, 1826, and is a son of
Archibald and Agnes (Moss) Sherrill, natives of
the same county and State. Both parents were
members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
The father was a successful farmer, and a very
prominent citizen of Wilson County during his life,
and conducted some of the most important enter-
prises that promoted the future development of
that place. In politics he was a Whig. The
father" s death occurred in 1852, after a life of use-
fulness to his fellow men and honor to himself,
his wife following him in 1866. Twelve children
were born to their marriage, of whom six are yet
living: J. F. (a well-known physician in Middle
Tennessee), Newton A. (one of the largest farmers
near Lebanon, in the same State), E. (a black-
smith near the same town), Dr. Albert R., Martha
Cemons(of Obion, Tenn.), and Dr Hugh (at Union
City, West Tenn.). Albert R. received his educa-
tion at the Cumberland University of Lebanon,
Tenn. , and graduating from that college, he com-
menced the study of medicine under his elder
brother, J. F. In 1854-55 he attended lectures at
Nashville, Tenn. , and in the latter year came to
Arkansas and located in Pulaski County, where he
remained for two years. He next moved to Jeffer-
son County, where he has resided ever since, and
built up a practice, which has been gratifying to
his skill. The Doctor is well known for his benev-
olence and his ready answer to the call for help,
and hundreds of the poorer class in Jefferson
County have cause to be thankful for his charity.
Dr. Sherrill met with some reverses during the
Civil War, but with wonderful pluck and energy
he gathered up the remnants of his shattered for-
tune after that event and again started to build up
his losses. He now owns about 500 acres of valu-
able land in Jefferson County, and something like
840 acres in Lincoln County. During the Re-
bellion he entered the Confederate army, and
served in the capacity of surgeon a great deal, and
when not in the ranks he devoted his time to out-
side practice. His record in the army is one that
will always reflect upon him with honor, for his
bravery in more ways than one, and his skillful
service in behalf of some poor wounded comrade,
whose shattered limbs were bandaged by his kind-
ly hands, will never be forgotten. In 1857 he was
married to Mrs. Barrett, a charming widow lady,
who died some years afterwards. In 1881 Miss
Elizabeth Griffin became his second wife, but the
following year she too died. In politics the Doc-
tor is a Democrat, and a stanch supporter of that
party. In religion he was formerly a member of
the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, but at the
present time does not favor any particular persua-
sion. During the years 1872-73 he was in the drug
business at Pine Bluff, but his growing practice
forced him to give it up. He is one of the most
popular men in his county with every class of so-
ciety, and also one of its most enterprising citizens.
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
213
Frank Silverman, sheriff and collector. Pine
Bluff, Ark. The public services of Mr. Silverman
since his election to his present position have been
characterized by a notable devotion to the welfare of
this county, and his ability and fidelity in this
position of public trust, have made a lasting im-
pression upon the sphere of public duty. He was
born in Wooster, Wayne County, Ohio, January 0,
1843, and is the son of Lyon and Mary (Troutman)
Silverman, the father a native of Germany and
the mother of Berks County. Penn. The mater-
nal great grandfather. Jacob Troutman, was a Rev-
olutionary patriot, and could not speak a word of
English. Lyon Silverman came to America when
thirteen years of age and stopped at Philadel-
phia, where he became apprenticed to the mercan- ,
tile business. He subsequently went to Mansfield,
Ohio, where he engaged very extensively in mer-
chandising, and later moved to Wooster, where he
was married and remained for several years. He
is now a resident of Rockaway, N. Y. , being
retired in his seventy- second year. The mother
died at Little Rock, Ark., in 1885. They were
the parents of eight children, seven now living:
Frank Caroline (who resides in New York City),
Emma (resides in Little Rock), Samuel (resides in
St. Louis), Ida (resides in Portland, Ore.), Belle
(resides at the same place), and Georgia (also
there). Frank Silverman was reared and edu-
cated in Wisconsin, having graduated at Racine
(Wisconsin) College. In 1859 he started out to
travel, visiting the principal cities of Europe, and
was abroad about one year. In 1861 he enlisted
in the three months' service, and at the expiration
of that time joined the regular service, but being
under age his father got him out much to the dis-
gust of the young hero. In 1871 he went to St.
Louis for a short time, and subsequently to Pine
Bluff, Ark. , where he became editor of the Jeffer-
son Republican, purchasing the outfit and running
the paper for two years. He next engaged in the
mercantile business, but was quite unfortunate in
this venture and became entirely bankrupt. In
1876 he was elected on the Republican ticket as
county and probate judge, holding the position two
years. He then became land commissioner of the
Little Rock & Texas Road, held this position a
short time and next became deputy sheriff', dis-
charging the duties of this place until elected to
his present office, in 1880, being re-elected in 1888.
He has conducted the official affairs to the entire
satisfaction of all, and during this time has been
twice receiver of the Pine Bluff' & Swan Lake Rail-
road. He was married first, in 1863, to Miss Lizzie
Swords, by whom he had three children: Maude,
Randall and Blanche. Mr. Silverman was mar-
ried the second time, in 1873, to Miss Grace Haw-
ley, by whom he has one child, Edith. He is past
eminent commander of the Knights Templar, and
is the grand representative of the State of New
Hampshire in Arkansas. He is a member of the
Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Knights of Honor,
Royal Arcanum and American Legion of Honor.
Hon. Theodoric F. Sorrells was born ia Beach
Grove, Bedford County, Tenn., August 18, 1821,
being a son of W^ alter B. Sorrells, of North Caro
lina. The father was a planter, and also well
known in politics in Tennessee and Mississippi.
He moved from his native State when very young,
and settled in Bedford County, Tenn. , where
he was educated, married, and resided for thirty
years. He then moved to Fayette County, in the
same State, but shortly afterward went to Mar-
shall County, Miss. , where he remained for twenty
years. In 1858 he came to Arkansas County,
Ark., and made that his home until his death, in
1864, at the age of seventy years. For twenty
years he held the office of surveyor of Marshall
County, Miss., an office that his intelligence and
ability made it almost impossible to fill with a
successor his equal. He was a man of moral char-
acter and integrity, and was never known to touch
intoxicating drinks, this perhaps accounting for
his great success in life. Judge Sorrells' grand-
father, David Sorrells, was also a native of North
Carolina, and was married in that State, but after-
ward moved to Bedford County, Tenn., where he
resided for thirty-five years. He then located in
Henderson County, of the same State, where his
death occurred in 1851, at the age of eighty years.
He took no part in the earlier wars of this country,
but his father was a soldier in the Revolution and
214
HISTOEY OF ARKANSAS.
fought at King's Mountain, and he also had a
brother under Gen. Jackson at the battle of New
Orleans. The Sorrellses of the United States
are descendants of three brothers, who came from
England at an early period and settled in North
Carolina. All of the family in America derive
their origin from them, and have all been chiefly
farmers of good standing, in the middle ranks of
society. A few have been ministers of the gospel
and merchants, but none have ever figured prom-
inently in public life excej)t the Judge. Judge
Sorrells' mother was Martha Boswell, who was
reared on the Potomac River, a short distance below
Alexandria, Va. , and was one of the Old Domin-
ion's fairest daughters. She died when her son
Theodoric was only eighteen months old, after a
life of model motherhood. Theodoric F. Sorrells
was reared and instructed in farm life until his
twenty-first year, when his fathef paid him a sal-
ary, so that he might procure an education. From
1841 to 1843 he attended school at Memphis,
Tenn. , where he obtained a good English educa-
tion as well as a knowledge of the higher branches
and classics, and a course in the sciences. His
academical career was interrupted by the war be-
tween Texas and Mexico, and at the call of Gen.
Sam Houston for volunteers, he left his books and
proceeded to Texas, to take up arms in defense of
that State. He landed at Galveston, and was mus-
tered into service on April 7, 1842, in Kit Wil-
liams' company, from Memphis, and remained in
camp at Corpus Christi for three months. On
July 7, 1 842, he took part in the battle of Lapan-
tielan, between the Texans under Gen. James
Davis, and the Mexicans under Gen. Canales. On
August 23, of the same year, he was honorably
discharged, under the signature of Col. George
W. Hockley, Texas secretary of war, and approved
by Sam Houston, president of the Republic. When
ten years old he joined the Methodist Church, and
has been a member in good standing ever since.
He has never sowed any wild oats, consequently
has none to reap. His habits have been uniform
all his life. He has never played a game of cards,
nor any other game of chance, nor has he ever
danced a reel ; neither has he ever been drunk or
sued for debt in his life, as he always paid every
debt he owed. Judge Sorrells is a man of turbu-
lent passions when aroused, but has a wonderful
amount of self-control. Up to within ten years
ago the tobacco habit was almost second nature to
him, but since that time he has not touched a
morsel of the weed, nor has he ever used profane
language. From early childhood the desire pos-
sessed him to be a lawyer, and after attaining man-
hood, he diligently applied himself to that study,
being licensed to practice on March 20, 1846, by
Alexander M. Clayton, then supreme judge of
Mississippi. Immediately afterward he went to
Texas, the scene of his former exploits, and begun
to practice his profession, and while at La Grange,
enlisted in Col. Jack Hayes' regiment of mounted
riflemen. He then was transferred to Mexico, and
took part in the Mexican War until the expiration
of his term of service, and after that event, left
that country and returned to Marshall County,
Miss. In the fall of 1847 he came to Arkansas
and settled at Princeton, Dallas County, the fol-
lowing year, where he commenced to practice his
profession. He soon established himself in the
confidence of his neighbors, and built up a large
practice, and his popularity attained such a height
that in February, 1849, he was elected prosecut-
ing attorney, and re-elected in February, 1851.
In August, 1854, he was elected circuit judge, and
held that office until 1858, and in 1860 was elector
for the State at large, on the Breckenridge and
Lane ticket, and delegate to the Baltimore coq-
vention in 1860. In 1888 he was delegate to the
Deep Water Harbor convention, held at Denver,
Col. , and is now a member of the standing Deep
Water Harbor committee; he also was a delegate
to the Topeka convention, in 1889, and is now
chairman of the executive committee in Arkansas,
and is a strong advocate of that great commercial
movement, which has for its object the construc-
tion of a deep water harbor on the coast of Texas,
being heartily in favor of an appropriation by
Congress, sufficient for that purpose. Elsewhere
in this work, Mr. Sorrells' address in reference
to this measure is referred to. During the Civil
War his efPorts for the Southern cause were antir-
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
215
ing, and although not in active battle, his money
and prayers were always with the Confederate army.
After the war he represented Bradley County in the
legislature, but was disfranchised by the military
authorities under the re-construction act, until
1874. He was then re-eufranchised by virtue of
the constitution of 1874. In August, 1874, he was
elected judge of the Tenth judicial circuit, and re-
elected in 1878, each time for four years at a salary
of $2,500 per annum. Like his father. Judge
Sorrells is an ardent Democrat, and in a letter from
father to son occurs this characteristic expression:
' ■ I pray for the success of the Democratic party
and the Christian religion. ' ' From such teachings
Judge Sorrells has never deviated, and in politics
he is as unchanging as the sun. He ojiposed the
Fishback amendment, but favors the insertion of
the temperance reform or prohibition plank in the
Democratic platform of the State of Arkansas. In
regard to the payment of disputed State debts, he
is in favor of a settlement on the basis of judicial
decisions. During the war he was an ardent se-
cessionist, and is now a warm friend to the foster-
ing of Southern industries, in order to make the
South self-sustaining. To effect this he advocates
a board of commissioners on emigration, to be es-
tablished at New Orleans, for the purj^ose of re-
ceiving foreign emigrants, and taking care of them
until they can disperse and settle throughout the
South, so that her resources may be more fully de-
veloped. Judge Sorrells was initiated into the Ma-
sonic fraternity at Camden, Ark., in 1851, and
has taken all the Council degrees and held the
ofiSce of high priest. In 1874 he became a mem-
ber of the Odd Fellows at Pine Bluff. He was
married in Bradley County, Ark., on May 27,
1851, to Miss Rebecca M. Marks, a daughter of
John H. Marks, a member of the Arkansas legis-
lature in 1842, and at whose place the battle of
Marks' Mill was fought in April. 1864. Her
mother was before her marriage Miss Maiy Bar-
nett, of Alabama, a daughter of Nathaniel Barnett,
one of the most prominent planters in that State
during his life. Mrs. Sorrells is a niece of the
late Judge Kenyon, a distinguished lawyer and
judge of Georgia. She is a noble-hearted, whole-
souled woman, loved by everybody, and possesses
the domestic virtues to an extraordinary degree.
She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, and her kindness and charitable
disposition toward the needy and distressed have
almost placed her on the pinnacle of worship. She
has added greatly to her husband's success in life,
and aided him in building up his fortune before
the war. After that event, when so many Southern
homes had been made desolate and fortunes swept
away, she again encouraged him to put his shoul-
der to the wheel and buoyed up his drooping spirit
by her loving help. They have five children liv-
ing, all of whom were born in Bradley County:
Mary (who graduated from Hocker Female College,
at Lexington, Ky. , in 1872 with first honors, and
married in 1878 to William L. De Woody, a popu-
lar druggist of Pine Bluff), Theodore (a farmer),
William (a druggist of Hot Springs, Ark. ), Emma
(Mrs. T. E. Gillespie), and Walter (still a boy).
Judge Sorrells inherited no property, but made it
all himself. At the breaking out of the war he
was worth IIOO.OCO in lands and slaves, and at the
close of that event had lost all but 110,000 in land.
He is now worth upward of $50,000, which is all
the result of his own energ}' and business tact, as
sisted by the good advice of his wife. As an in-
stance of his pluck he came from Memphis, on the
deck of a steamboat, for want of monej' to pay his
passage in the cabin, and upon reaching Gaines'
Landing, had not a dollar in the world. From
that point he went to Camden, Ark. , on foot, and
at that point commenced to lay the foundation of
his fortune. He made .120,000 by various enter-
prises, and the balance he has accumulated from
his practice. Judge Sorrells has the reputation of
being one of the most energetic men in the State,
and his success justifies that conviction. On the
bench he has given universal satisfaction as an
honest, upright judge. As an evidence of this,
his majority at his last election was 4,663, in a
total vote of 10,000. As a lawyer he has been very
successful in criminal practice, never having a
client hanged, and only one that was sent to the
penitentiary. As a speaker he is valued for his
forcible and convincing arguments, rather than for
216
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
brilliant oratory, dealing in matters of fact, rather
than in flowing diction and flights of fancy. Judge
Sorrells has probably not spent more than six days
out of thirty in the pursuit of pleasure, other than
that to be found in the society of his family and
intimate friends. He takes an active interest in
all ]iublic enterprises, and is a leading spirit in
anything that tends toward the development of his
community. One point that should be brought
forward is, that, while never the choice of the bar,
he is uniformly the choice of the people, who like
him for his nerve and discretion of purpose. It is
such men as this who lay the foundation of great
States, and whose names and deeds form material
for hi.story.
^^'. P. Stephens, attorney, Pine Bluff, Ark.
Amongst the well-known and notable represent-
atives of the learned profession of the law is \V.
P. Stephens who was born in Livingston, Sumter
County, Ala., on May 9, 1841, being one of four
children, thi-ee now living, born to the union of J.
J. and Priscilla C. (Whitfield) Stephens, natives of
Mississippi and North Carolina, respectively. The
parents were married in Alabama and emigrated to
Arkansas in about 1845, locating in Drew County,
where they remained until 1849, subsequently
moving to Jefl'erson County, Ark. The father fol-
lowed the trade of a contractor and builder, and
erected a great many of the old landmarks now
standing in Pine Bluff. He was mayor of the city
for some years, and at the time of his death, which
occurred in 1860, he was county and probate judge.
The mother now resides at Hot Springs. The three
children living are named as follows: M'illiam P. ,
Ruth (widow of Theodore Shupanj and Mrs. D. B.
Riggin (of Pine Bluff). The sul>ject of this sketch
was reared in Arkansas and educated in Pine Bluff.
At the commencement of the war he was acting as
assistant county clerk, but resigned his office to
enter the army, and at the expiration of his term
of service returned and took his old position. In
1886 he was elected county and circuit clerk and
recorder, discharging these official duties until the
reconstruction. In February, 1869, he went to
Camden, Ouachita County, Ark., and was for one
3'ear cashier of the bank of C. E. Phillijas, after
which he resided in Cleveland (then Dorsey)
County, where he served one term as coiinty and
probate Judge. He had studied law, and been ad-
mitted to the bar in 1868 at Pine Bluff, practicing
his profession while living in Cleveland County.
In 1885 he came back to Pine Bluff", where he has
since been actively engaged in his profession. He
has been for several years attorney under the ap-
pointment of the attorney-general of the State,
for the collection of the school funds of Jefferson
County. His official record is everywhere clear
and faultless. He is a brilliant attorney and an
unusually good business man. At present his office
is over the Merchants' and Planters' Bank, Pine
Bluff. His practice is principally in the judicial
circuits presided over by Hon. J. M. Elliott and
Hon. C. D. Wood (Tenth and Eleventh circuits).
His briefs in the supreme court of the State, and
his varied experience in the circuit practice, are
guarantees of his ability; and, considering his age
and the extent of his present practice, his future is
bright, and a rich harvest in the field of his chosen
profession is sure to be his. He has made real
property law his chief study, and is working a great
part of his time on complicated titles involving city
and country property; and with the increase of
population and enhanced values in his part of
Arkansas his services will be continually needed.
Leroy Taylor, one of the pioneer settlers of
Jefferson Corinty. and a native of Arkansas County,
was born April 5, 1824, and is a son of Archibald
and Mary (Harrington) Taylor, of Indiana and
Kentucky, respectively. The father moved to the
latter State when he was a young man, and there
married his wife. In 1822 they moved to Arkansas
County, Ark., and four years later came to Jef-
ferson County, locating in Old River, near what
is now Rob Roy, where the father died in his
thirtieth year. Some time after his decease the
mother was married to Mr. O'Neill, a prominent
merchant of the same county, who also left her a
widow for the second time a few years after their
marriage. The elder Taylor was a successful
farmer, and a man who thoroughly understood his
business. His advice was often asked by men who
were less posted in the details of farming, and his
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
217
assistance during life was the means of placing
many men upon a substantial^" foundation who
would otherwise have sunk in the slough of bank-
ruptcy and pauperism. Three children were bora
to the parents, one of whom has since died. Joseph
and Leroy are yet living. The former went to
California in 1850, and afterward changed his
location to Washington Territory. His occupation
at one time was piloting on steamboats, but later
he turned his attention entirely to mining. Leroy
was educated in the schools of JefFerson County,
and remained with his mother until twenty-three
years old. He then thought it was time to make
a start in life for himself, and commenced farming
on his own account. When twenty four years of
age he was married to Miss Elizabeth Flynn, of
JefPerson County, who died iive years after their
union, leaving one son, George W., now a farmer
in Jefferson County. In 1855 Leroy Taylor was
married to Miss Louisa Tany, of the same county,
who lived until 1867, and died, without having
any children. On August 7, 1887, his third
matrimonial venture proved to be a happy one in
the person of Mrs. R. A. Nellums, a charming
widow, and a daughter of John Lasley. This lady
was born in Maury County, Tenn., on October 14,
1827, and her former husband was Mr. William
J. Nellums. In polities Mr. Taylor is a stanch
Democrat, and a man whose aid is valuable to his
party. He has won the respect of the community
and now enjoys the fullest confidence of his fellow
citizens.
Dr. Arthur G. Thompson, though perhaps
classed among the younger members of the medi-
cal fraternity in this region, has already attained
a position of honor and influence, and is esteemed
an able and worthy practitioner. He was born
in Rochester, Racine County, Wis., October 13,
1851, his parents, Anthony and Ann (Carter)
Thompson, being of English nativity. The father
was born in 1809, and the mother in 1811. They
came to America in 1844, settling in Wisconsin,
where they both died. Dr. Thompson is a gradu-
ate of Keokuk Medical College. At the age o^
thirteen he commenced business for himself, and
when twenty- six years of age was married to Miss
Stella E. Fuller, of Whiteside County, 111. They
have four children: Azuba (aged twelve). Louis
(aged nine), Inez (aged seven), and Carter (aged
three). Dr. Thompson owns eighty acres of val-
uable land in this county, besides property at
White Sulphur Springs, and in addition to these
interests he has a stock of drugs and general mer-
chandise. His success as a merchant is a just re-
ward of faithful application. He is a Republican
in politics, and, besides being an accomplished
physician and skillful surgeon, is a man of great
public and private enterprise.
Rev. D. L. Trimble, whose name is familiar in
this and surroimding counties, was born in Cin-
cinnati, Ohio, in 1850. His father, a man of
prominence and decided worth, was Robert Wil-
son Trimble, a native of Wheeling, W. Va. , whose
birth occurred in 1829. He (Robert W. ) received
a good education in his native State, and after
the age of twenty-one years commenced study-
ing for the ministry in the Methodist Episcopal
Church. From Virginia he went to Kentucky,
locating first at Newport and later at Hopkinsville,
but subsequently found himself in Louisville.
After serving a six-months' probation in the Epis-
copal Church he was given a license and stationed
at Jeffersonville, Ind. , where he had charge of
St. John's Church about two years. In March,
1860, he arrived at Pine Bluff, Ark., as a mission-
ary, sent by Bishop Lay, where he founded the pres-
ent Episcopal Church with only three members.
Upon the breaking out of the Civil War Mr. Trim-
ble enlisted in the First Arkansas Regiment, under
James Fagan, participating in several prominent
engagements in Virginia, and being transferred to
the Trans Mississippi department under Johnson.
In September, 1863, just before the battle of Pine
Bluff, his health failed, when he returned home
and resumed charge of his parish. In January,
1864, having been banished from the Federal lines,
he went down the river, where he lived on a plan-
tation till the close of hostilities. He was en-
gaged for some time in the secret service under
Gen. McGruder. In May, 1866, after having re-
turned to Pine Bluff Mr. Trimble went East and
raised money for the building of a church, which
218
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
was completed in 1870, the first services beinpf held
Christmas day. In 1871 be commenced collecting
material for a general descriptive history of the
State by counties, the manuscript of which is now
owned by his son. This has been submitted to the
State Historical Society for correction, and consti-
tutes matter of vital importance. In 1879 the
State University of Arkansas conferred upon him
an honorary degree, which was well deserved and
gracefully borne. He was the father of the public
school system of Pine Bluff, and for twelve years
was a member of the school board, of which he was
secretary; educational affairs having for him im-
portant attractions, and his career in this direction
has left a marked influence for good. Mainly to
his efforts are the citizens of this locality indebted
for the attractive building of the high school which
is now so prominent a structure. Mr. Trimble
was a man of decided literary ability, and able
contributions from his pen found a ready place in
leading papers of the day. He was a good man
in all that the term implies, a beloved and talented
minister and a fluent speaker, and a fact worthy
of mention is that he was the only Episcopal cler-
gyman who stood at his post during the war. He
also founded the Episcopal Church at Hot Springs.
He was born February 22, 1829, and died April
18, 1882, after a useful and well spent life. His
wife was Almira E. Hukill, originally from Ken-
tucky, born in 1830, aud who died March 28, 1887.
Their two children are both living: Rev. D. L.
and Mattie J. (the widow of Peter A. Torian), who
lives with her brother. She has one child living,
Allie D. At the age of fourteen years the subject
of this sketch, who possesses in a high degree the
many estimable traits of his esteemed father, was
sent to Shelby College, Shelbyville, Ky. , remain-
ing there for eighteen months, when he attended
the University of Tennessee. After leaving he
was a student at the Military Academy of New
York, but owing to defective eyesight (having lost
one eye by sulphuric acid) did not remain long,
subsequently going to the Theological Seminary,
at Nashotah, Wis., from which he graduated in
1876 with the degree of B. D. In 1878 he was
sent to Peru, Ind. , where he was rector until 1880,
coming thence to Pine Bluff in July of that year,
attracted largely by his extensive landed interests
here. Since that time he has led almost a retired
life, though he had charge of a church at Cam-
den, and now has a small mission at Pendleton,
which he serves once a month. October 9, 1879,
Mr. Trimble married Maggie E. Dorris, daughter
of one of the leading men of the South. She was
a most estimable lady, well respected by all who
knew her, and of rare personal attractions, but
death claimed her October 18, 1888. She left two
children, Robert W. and an infant. Mr. Trimble
is a person of intellectual and noble individual
characteristics, and during his residence here has
won many friends.
C. H. Triplett, coiinty treasurer of Jetferson
County, and one of its best known citizens, was
born in that county on the r2th of March, 1850,
and is a son of Charles H. and Esthe (Dunlap) Trip-
lett, of Fairfax County, Va. , and of Scotch-Irish
origin. The paternal grandfather, John Triplett,
was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, who
passed the remainder of his days after that event
in Virginia. The old homestead is still in the Trip-
lett family, and has been for over 125 years, and
they also possess a large estate in the neighbor-
hood of Mount Vernon. Charles H. Triplett was
a cabinet-maker by trade, and an expert in that
line. When only eighteen years of age he was
foreman over 100 men, and, young as he was, main-
tained a strict discipline over individuals that were
double his years. His son, the principal in this
sketch, has some furniture in his house at the pres-
ent time which was made by his father over fifty
years ago, and while visiting the exposition at New
Orleans several years ago, the father was shown
some furniture that was made by him during the
first years of his artisanship. He was one of the
men who helped remove George Washington's re-
mains to their last resting place at Mount Ver-
non. In 1847 he emigrated to Jefferson County,
Ark. , where he entered a large tract of land and
farmed for a great many years, his death occur-
ring at the home of his son, in 1887. The mother
died in 1858. They were the parents of twelve
children, of whom three only are living at present:
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
219
Mrs. Sarah Buck, Mrs. M. D. Lindsay and Charles
H. (the subject of this sketch). Mr. Triplett was
reared on his father's farm and received a some-
what limited education in his youth, but this, how-
ever, was overcome in later years by a naturally
shrewd and intellectual mind. In 1868 he moved
to Pine Bluff with the intention of commencing in
life on his own account, and was first engaged as
clerk in a grocery house at that place with a salary
of $1.50 per month. He remained with this tirm
for two years, and then entered the employ of Mr.
Gabe Meyers in the general merchandise business,
remaining with him four years. His next venture
was to form a partnership with Mr. John L. Buck
in the grocery business, biit in 1879 the firm met
with reverses and were forced to suspend. They
closed out their business in an honorable manner,
and paid all their debts, though it took almost
every cent from Mr. Triplett to do so, and he was
again compelled to start in life a poor man. He then
turned his attention to farming and speculating,
and by good management and tact has accumulaled
considerable wealth once more, owning 4,000
acres of very fertile land, with several hundred
acres under cultivation, and one of the linest resi-
dences in Pine Bluff. In politics he is an ardent
Democrat and a leader in his party, and in 1888
was elected by them to the office of county treas-
urer. Besides this office he is commissioner of the
sewer district, and secretary of the Board of
Health. Mr. Triplett was married in 1880 to Miss
Estelle Holland, by whom he has had three children :
Charles H. , Jr. , Gerald and Esta. His wife is a
kindly, Christian woman, and a member of the
Presbyterian Church. In secret societies Mr.
Triplett belongs to the Royal Arcanum, of which
body he is financial secretary, also holding that
office in the Knights of Honor. He is also a mem-
ber and secretary of the American Legion of Honor
and the Knights and Ladies of Honor.
John W. Tucker, one of Arkansas' enterprising
merchants and planters, was born in Morgan Coun-
tj', Ala. , February 22, 1845, and is a son of Charles
and Anna O. (Drake) Tucker, who were married
against the wishes of Miss Drake' s parents. Soon
after their union the parents of John W. moved to
Alabama where they resided until the father's
death in 1856, at the age of fifty-six years, and the
mother in 1865, in her fifty ninth year. The elder
Tucker was a well known farmer and school teacher
and in politics a Whig. His family were of Scotch
origin. Twelve children were born to their mar-
riage, of whom six are still living. John W. , the
next but one to the youngest, was educated in the
schools of Northern Alabama, and had hardly fin-
ished his studies when the war induced him to
join the ranks of the Confederate army, becoming
a member of Company I. Fifth Alabama Cavalry,
commanded by Gen. Forrest. He took part in a
number of battles, some of them being at Pulaski,
Tenn.. Athens Ala., Sulphur Tressle, Ala., in
which engagement he was wounded, as also at
Selma, Ala. His record through the war is one
that reflects the greatest credit on himself, for its
heroic action in time of danger, and many times
he has received the cheers of his comrades for per-
forming some daring piece of work. After the
war was over he removed to Arkansas and located
in Jefferson County, where he commenced farming
on Maj. W. H. Davis' place at Colton Center.
Four years later he purchased 200 acres of
land; prosperity's kindly smile beamed down
on him, and to-day he is the owner of about 920
acres and has placed some 500 acres under culti-
vation. For the last six years he has been actively
engaged in the general merchandise business, and
since 1888 he has had a saw-mill in operation. He
first started his cotton-gin in 1880, and it is one of
the best in the county. September 20, 1871, he was
married to Miss Sallie Morrow, a daughter of John
W. Morrow, and the following year moved to his
present location, where he has built one of the
most commodious residences in that section. Mrs.
Tucker was born in Rutherford County, Tenn.,
on May 11, 1853, and by her marriage became
the mother of seven children, of whom two have
died. Those yet living are Mary E., Charles S.,
D. Everett, Bessie and Anna W. , and the two de-
ceased are John W. D. and Clifton W. Mr.
Tucker served for several years as postmaster, and
his work in this office as well as his character as a
citizen won him such popularity that Tucker Sta-
220
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
tion was named in his honor. He is a member of
the Knights of Honor at Pine Bhiff. Mrs. Tucker
belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. South,
and is deeply interested in religious and educa-
tional work.
Philip N. Vaugine, one of the oldest and most
prominent of Jefferson County merchants, was
born near Pine Bluff, Ark., on February 24^, 1836,
and is a son of Francis and Audele (Dereuisseaux)
Vaugine. Both parents were born at Arkansas
Post, Ark., in 1800 and 1808, respectively, and
were married in 1826. The father was a farmer
and trader, and in the latter capacity was noted
for his shrewdness in making a bargain. In fact
he was very successful in both branches, but trad-
ing in furs, skins, etc., was his principal business,
and his shipments to the New Orleans market were
very large. In politics he was an old line Whig,
but did not take any active part in politics. His
father was a native of France, who emigrated to
the United States and settled at New Orleans,
afterward moving to Arkansas Post, where he re-
mained for some time, and then came four miles
below Pine Bluft', at which place he died in 1831,
when sixty-three years of age. He was a farmer
and trader, like his son after him. He served as
major in the War of 1812, and several battles
previous, but after the mother country had lost
her child he determined to adopt the United States
as his future home. The family of Vaugine is one
of the oldest in Jefferson County, the male mem-
bers attaining a widespread celebrity for their busi-
ness ability and trading qualities. The family on
the mother's side were French Canadians, whose
forefathers settled in Arkansas prior to 1793. The
mother herself made a trip on the first steamboat
that ran on the Arkansas River, a side wheeler,
the "Tom Bolin," commanded by Capt. James
Bolin. Nine children were born to Francis
Vaugine and his wife, of whom two only are liv-
ing at the present time, Philip N. and Francis
G. . the latter a prominent farmer of this county,
who, during the war, was cajstain of Company G,
First Arkansas Cavalry, Trans Mississippi Depart-
ment, and was wounded and captured at Pilot
Knob, September 27, 1864, remaining a prisoner
of war until the close, in 1865. In the charge on
the fort at this place he. the first and second lieuten-
ants and twenty-two men, remained on the battle-
field, of whom seventeen were killed outright, and
the first lieutenant later died from wounds received.
Philip N. received his education at the schools of
Jefferson County, and partly in Arkansas County.
Upon reaching his twenty-third year he determined
to see what fortune had in store for him if he com-
menced in life for himself. Accordingly he began
farming, and continued in that line for two years,
but at the end of that time gave it up to enter the
employ of Matthew Murphy, of New Gascony,
as salesman. In the spring of 1862 he enlisted in
Company G, of the First Arkansas Cavalry, Trans-
Mississippi, Confederate States Army, and con-
tinued in service until June, 1865. He took part
in Steele's raid, and was also oj)erating on White
River. Afterward he was in several engagements
around Tahlequah, I. T., and then with Price
in his raids through Missouri. While fighting
under Price one of his brothers, Charles, was killed
at Pilot Knob: another brother, Matthias J., was
captain of an independent company, and was killed
in Jefferson County. After the war was over.
Philip again commenced farming, and at the end
of three years he opened up a store in Plum Bayou.
He has been a successful man in all of his ventures,
and at the present time owns 440 acres of land,
with 300 acres under cultivation, his plantation
being three miles south of Sherrill Station. He
owns two large business houses, one on his planta-
tion and one at Sherrill Station, on the Altheimer
Branch, where he enjoys an extensive and lucrative
patronage, carrying on a large trade. In 1869 he
was married to Miss Mary E. Mitchell, of this
county, who died in the same year. Mr. Vaugine
felt the loss of his amiable wife deeply, and has
remained a widower since that time. He has never
taken an active interest in politics, but his sym-
pathies are with the Democratic i^arty. Like the
balance of his family he is a member of the Catho-
lic Church. He is one of the most prosperous and
enterprising men in the State, and his good fortune
is the result of his own intellect and perseverance.
Jo W. Walker, one of the leading cotton grow-
JEFFERSON COITNTY.
221
ers of Jefferson County, was born on the banks
of the Arkansas River, about six miles from Pine
Bluff, on August 18, 1852, and is a son of Robert
Woods and Eulalie (Taylor) Walker. The father
was a native of Virginia, but reared near Nash-
ville, Tenn., and moved to Arkansas in 1836. He
was born in the year 1810. The mother was born
in Jefferson County, Ark., on March 3, 1825,
and has resided in Arkansas all her life. The
father was a very prominent citizen and large
land owner in this county, possessing about 2,000
acres in the river bottom. He was deputy clerk
for five years, and for an additional five years was
clerk. He was a Mason of high standing, and had
taken a number of the higher degrees. In politics
he was a Democrat, and one of the leaders of that
party in his county. When the elder Walker first
came to Pine Bluff it was but a village. Since that
time it has grown up into a large and prosperous
city, owing to the efforts of enterprising citizens,
of whom Mr. Walker was one of the foremost.
Seven children were born to the parents, of whom
six are yet living: Creed T. (a cashier of the Bank
of Little Rock), Maggie (wife of Capt. B. E. Ben-
ton, the i)opular agent of the Cotton-Seed Oil Mills
at Little Rock), John M. (a farmer on the old
homestead), J. W. (the principal of this sketch),
Agnes (wife of Orlando Haliburton, a well-known
commercial traveler for Meyer Bros., St. Louis,
Mo.), and Robert W. (a prosperous grain and feed
dealer at Little Rock). The one deceased is James
N., who died in his twenty-first year. Jo W.
Walker was educated at St. Vincent College, Cape
Girardeau, Mo. , and upon reaching his maturity,
left that institution to manage his mother's plan-
tation. Since then he has given his entire atten-
tion to planting, and has become one of the most
successful in the county. On October 16, 1878,
he was married to Miss Beulah Burton, a daugh-
ter of Robert Burton, of Jefferson County. This
marriage gave them one daughter, Mary V. Mr.
and Mrs. Walker are both members of tlie Catholic
Church, and the former belongs to the Catholic
Knights of America. In politics he is a stanch
Democrat. Mr. Walker's mother was born March
3, 1825, and married January 27, 1842. She
was a great-granddaughter of Don Joseph Vallier,
who was at one time governor-general of the Ter-
ritory of Louisiana under the Spanish Govern-
ment. Her father. Col. Creed Taylor, was one of
the most prominent men in public life during the
early history of Arkansas as a Territory and State.
He was born in Mercer County, Ky. , on Janu-
ary 1, 1800, and moved to Arkansas in 1817, lo-
cating at what is now Lewisburg. One year later
he returned to Kentucky, but again moved to Ar-
kansas and settled at Pine Bluff, and in October,
1822, performed the feat of swimming the Arkan-
sas River. He was sheriff' of Jefferson County at
one time, and when the Indians were moved to the
Indian Territory he was appointed a colonel. In
politics he was a stanch Democrat, and in religious
faith a Catholic. He died in Jefferson County,
January 8. 1887.
John A. Wallis. Among the most pleasing
features of Jefferson County is its number of pro-
gressive men. Mr. Wallis is one of the leading
citizens of this section, and was born in Morgan
County, Ala., on October 25, 1832, being a son
of James and Ann (Crockett) Wallis, natives of
Mecklenburg District. North Carolina, and Lan-
caster District, South Carolina, respectively. The
parents were married in South Carolina, and made
that State their home for a number of years, after-
ward residing in Mississippi and Louisiana until
1861, when they moved to Arkansas and located in
Chicot County, where the mother died the follow-
ing year, at the age of seventy-two years. She
was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a
daughter of Elijah Crockett, a cousin of the cele-
brated Davy Crockett. Her union with Mr. James
Wallis resulted in the birth of eight children, oi
whom John A. is now the only living representa-
tive. The elder Wallis was a very successful
planter during his life, and before the war was a
Whig in politics, but after that event he voted the
Democratic ticket until his death. John A. Wallis
was reared and educated in the States of Alabama
and Mississippi. His inclinations seemed to follow
commercial life more than any other occupation,
and at the age of eighteen years he left home to
enter business. In 1856 he came to Arkansas and
222
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
located in Chicot County, and was engaged as
salesman in one of the business houses at that
point until 1858. He then returned home and
went into the wood business at Georgetown Bend,
which he followed with success until the war com-
menced, and his wood was burned by the Federal
boats. After this experience he came back to Chi-
cot County, Ark., and began farming, continu-
ing until after the war, when he returned to Mis-
sissippi. In 1869 he moved to Jefferson County,
Ark. , and has been farming ever since, with the
exception of the years 1870 and 1871, when he
entered into business at Pine Blutf, and again in
1878, when he moved to his present location and
commenced merchandising. Mr. Wallis also oper-
ates a steam cotton-gin and grist-mill, and is the
owner of about 650 acres of land, with some 500
acres under cultivation. His business ability and
bis shrewdness in financial transactions and indus-
try have placed him on an independent basis,
though having started from almost nothing.
R. J. Watkins, farmer at Wabbaseka, Ark., is
one of the representative and progressive agri-
culturists of Jefferson County, and is also one
of its most esteemed citizens. He was born in
Madison County, Ala., being the son of William
Watkins, a native of Georgia, born in 1798, who
received his education in his native State, and sub-
sequently moved to Alabama, where he married
Miss Harriet Anderson, a native of Washington
County, Md. The result of this marriage was
the birth of seven children, two sons and five
daughters, of whom but three are now living, one
residing in Alabama, one in Nashville, Tenn., and
the subject of this sketch, who has made his home
in Arkansas for many years. William Watkins
had always been a planter. He died in Hunts-
ville, Ala., in 1861, and his wife in 1856; both
were worthy members of the Methodist Church.
R. J. Watkins received a fair education in Hunts-
ville, Ala. , and on the 11th of October, 1866, he was
united in marriage to Miss Martha East, a native
of Alabama, and the daughter of Alexander and
Martha J. East. Four children have been born
to this union, only two now living, and both resid-
ing: at home. Mr. Watkins has held the office of
justice of the peace for fourteen years, and was
a school director for a period of some ten years.
He served in the late war, entering the army, in
1861, under Capt. Coltart, commanding the Madi-
son Rifles, C. S. A., and his" first hard tight was
at Baton Rouge, La. He was discharged in May,
1865. Perhaps on account of his early training
on the farm, Mr. Watkins has always followed
tilling the soil, and that he has made a success of
this pursuit is evident when looking over his well-
kept place. He lost his estimable wife, Septem-
ber 15, 1877. She was a member of the Episcopal
Church. In 1881 he married Miss Mary Patrick,
who died in September. 1882, having a child which
survived its mother only a few days.
John Weedon, a leader in agricultural circles,
and a popular citizen of Jefferson County, was
born in Columbus, Miss., May 18, 1847, and is a
son of John and T. C. (Henry) Weedon, of North
Carolina and Virginia, respectively. The father
was born in 1812, and the mother in 1816, their
marriage occurring in Columbus, Miss., which
place they made their home for about thirty years,
and then moved to Selma, Ala. , where they
resided until the father's death in 1872, while
returning from New Orleans. The elder Weedon
was a well-known and very wealthy iron manufact-
urer, and at one time virtually owned the town of
Anniston, Ala. , where his factories were located.
He was a Democrat in politics, and a valuable man
to that party during his life. He belonged to the
Masons, and had taken several high degrees.
During the war his losses footed up into many
thousands of dollars, as he had a firm belief in
the success of the Southern States, and had
invested largely in Confederate bonds and securi-
ties of a like nature that proved to be valueless
after the Rebellion was over. The parents were
members of the Presbyterian Church, and the
mother, who is still living, resides in Selma, Ala.
The Weedon family are of Scotch descent, and on
the mother's side of Scotch-Irish, the latter being
descended from the same family as that of Patrick
Henry, the famous American patriot. Nine chil-
dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Weedon, of whom
two are still living, John Weedon, Jr., the princi-
JEFFEKSON COUNTY.
223
pal of this sketch, and Mrs. G. A. Robinson, of
Florence, Ala. Young John was educated at
Davidson College, in North Carolina, and was yet
attending school in April, 1863, when his youth-
ful ardor was fired by the tales of Southern gal-
lantry on the battle-field, and he cast aside his
books to shoulder a musket and keep step in the
ranks of the Confederate army. He joined Com-
pany H, of the Thirty first Alabama Cavalry, and
took part in a great many engagements, never
faltering even when near the cannon's mouth, nor
allowing his enthusiasm for the cause ho undertook
to be dampened by the heaviest shower of leaden
hail. After the war he turned his attention to
mercantile life at Selma, Ala., and continued in
that branch until 1871, when he moved to Arkan-
sas and located in Lonoke County, where he com-
menced farming, and has met with the best suc-
cess, owning about 1,100 acres of the best land to
be found in the State. February 27, 1871, he was
married to Miss Virginia A. Pettus, a daughter
of John J. Pettus, ex-Governor of Mississippi, by
whom he has had two children, John P. and Car-
rie who are yet living, and three who have died:
William A., Alice M. and an infant daughter.
Mr. and Mrs. Weedon are members of the Presby-
terian Church, and take a deep interest in religious
and educational affairs. In politics the former is a
Democrat. He is one of the most popular men in
the community as well as one of the most enter-
prising. On his arrival in Arkansas he was com-
paratively poor, but seeing the productiveness of
the country, and knowing what his abilities were
capable of developing, he remained.
Rev. Daniel Westall, grocer and dealer in hay,
corn, oats, etc. , Pine Bluff, Ark. , is well known to
the many readers of this volume. He owes his
nativity to Vanderburgh County, Ind. , where his
birth occurred December 31, 1840. His father,
James Westall, was a native of England, who
emigrated to America and settled in Indiana at an
early date. He was there married to Miss Kesiah
Barker, a native of North Carolina, and this happy
union lasted until 1848, when Mr. Westall closed
his eyes to the scenes of this world. His widow
married again, and died about 1853. Rev. Daniel
Westall remained in his native State until nine-
teen years of age, and in 1861 enlisted as a pri-
vate in the First Indiana Cavalry, serving for over
three years, or until the end of his term. He was in
a nitmber of noteworthy engagements, principally
those of Fredericktown, Helena, Little Rock, Pine
Bluff, and a great many skirmishes. He received
his discharge at Indianapolis in 1864, and after-
ward returned to his home, where he remained
but a short time, when he removed to Illinois and
located in Wabash County. There he followed
farming until 1870, when in August of that year
he moved to Arkansas, and settled at Pine Bluff,
then a small village of aljout 300 inhabitants.
Here he engaged in the grocery business on a small
scale, and on the same place where his present
large brick store building now stands. He enjoys
a large trade, and is one of the substantial business
men of Pine Bluff. On the property adjoining his
store he has built a good residence, and is also the
owner of about fifteen tenement houses, the returns
of which form a comfortable income. Mr. Westall
was married in Pine Blutf, Ark. in 1863, to Miss
Mary E. Edwards, originally from Georgia. Her
father settled in Arkansas in 1861. To Mr. and
Mrs. Westall have been born eight children:
Sarah, Anna (wife of Alonzo McDonald), William,
David, Millie F. , Mary E. , Joseph and Benjamin.
Mr. Westall has been a member of the Primitive
Baptist Church for twenty years, in which he is
also an elder. He was ordained a minister about
1874 and now has charge of three churches.
Col. McH. Williams, a prominent planter and
! one of the men who have done much toward ad-
vancing the interests of Jefferson County, was
born in Nashville, Tenn., on August 28, 1831, and
is a son of Wiloughby and Nancy D. (Nichols)
Williams, natives of Davidson County, Tenn. In
early days the father was a merchant, and as an
example of the primitive state of affairs at that
i period, he was the only business man who could
i boast of an entire hogshead of sugar in that sec-
tion, his trade allowing him to keep a larger stock
than his competitors. He was noted as an influen-
tial politician during his life, but would never
accept any public ofiice except that of sheriff,
224
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
which position he filled for several years. During
the earlier years of his life he was a colonel of
State militia, and at one time president of the
State Bank. In 1846 he purchased large land in-
terests in the State of Arkansas and commenced
farming on an extensive scale, and was also a large
slave owner before the war. On that occasion he
removed with all his slaves to Texas, and after the
war was over he brought them back, giving them
the liberty of his plantation and acting in a noble
manner. When he first started in life his financial
condition was somewhat at a low ebb, but his won-
derful ability and business tact placed him among
the foremost men of the day. Before the war he
went on the security of other people to the extent
of $125,000, and as is usual in such cases, was
never repaid, but in a magnanimous spirit he
turned aside the question of their ungratefulness
and never once protested against such contemptible
conduct. He was a son of Wiloughby Williams, a
native of Virginia, who was a commissioned officer
in the American army during the Revolution.
This famous general, Andrew Jackson, and the
junior Wiloughby were warm personal friends and
Jackson was his ideal of a man, and it was to him
that Mr. Williams owed a great deal of his success.
Col. McH. Williams' father died in 1882 at the
age of eighty-six years, and the mother's death
occurred July 4, 1844, at the age of thirty-six
years. The Williams family originally came fiom
England and settled in Virginia a number of years
before the Revolution, while the Nichols family
were natives of Tennessee. Capt. John Nichols,
the father of young Williams' mother, was a gal-
lant soldier in the War of 1812, and later in life
a prosperous farmer in his native State and a de-
voted member of the Presbyterian Church. Col.
Williams' father was an aid to Gen. Dowdson
during the Civil. War, and was with Gen. Lee at
Cheat Mountain during the same period. After
the war he turned over his agricultural interests
to his son Mack, who has conducted them in an
enterprising manner ever since. The father died
in Louisville, Ky., and the mother in Nashville,
Tenn. , and of eight children born to them, two
are also dead. Those living are John H. (a farmer
near Nashville, Tenn.), Mary J. (widow of R. C.
McNary, who was dming his life a wealthy mer-
chant of Nashville), Mack H. (principal in this
sketch), Wiloughby (a prominent attorney and
planter in JefFerson County, residing at Pine Bluff),
Mrs. Ellen W. Lewis, (wife of Marion W. Lewis,
a well known financier of Louisville, Ky.), Nannie
W. (wife of Col. C. A. Nichols, of Pine Bluff).
Those deceased are Dr. R. N. Williams (who was
during his life an eminent physician), and Andrew
J. (a commissioned ofiScer under Gen. Forrest, and
killed in battle near Franklin, Tenn.) Mack H.
Williams was educated at the University of Ten-
nessee, and after graduating in 1847 immediately
turned his attention to planting. Being endowed
like his father with fine business tact, quick per-
ception and shrewdness, he also accumulated con-
siderable wealth, and is now one of the most pros-
perous as well as highly respected citizens of
Jefferson County. In June, 1850, he was married
to Miss Jane Bogy, a daughter of Mr. Enos Bogy,
a brilliant politician and representative of his
county in the legislature. This lady died a year
after her marriage, leaving one son, John B. , now
a well known planter of Jefferson County. In
1852 Capt. Williams was married to Miss Sarah J.
Young, a daughter of Col. R. H. Young, of Trim-
ble County, Ky., but this wife died in 1866, again
leaving him a widower. Four children were born
to the second marriage, of whom three are now liv-
ing: Alice J. (wife of VirginiusMurdaugh, a promi-
nent merchant of Bankhead, Ark. ), Richard Y. and
Robert H. (both well known planters of Jefferson
County). The one dead is Nancy M. . who was the
wife of Lanier Tanner, residing near New Orleans,
La. This daughter was born in 1855 and died in
1881. In June, 1886, Capt. Williams was married
to Mrs. Samuella K. Young, formerly of Pulaski,
Tenn. , who has been a devoted wife. The Colonel
is prominent in Masonic circles and a member of
the Knights of Honor. In politics he is a Demo-
crat, but is honest and liberal in his political views.
Before the war he owned over 100 slaves, all of
whom he lost after that event. The Colonel was a
heavy loser by that struggle, but his unbounded
energy and grit soon placed him on his former
/l^AACt^.
Zyzy^
It
Jetfersdn County, Arkansas .
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
level, and he is to-day one of Jefferson County's
most prosperous men as well as enjoying a flatter-
ing popularity with its citizens. He now owns
about 7,000 acres of fertile land and has placed
2,400 acres under cultivation, his plantations being
among the largest and most prodirctive in the State
as also the most beautiful. Col. Williams has few
equals as far as enterprise is concerned, and was
one of the projectors of the railroad from Pine
Bluff to Swan Lake and Bankhead.
E. W. Williams, a bachelor of Leland, and
one of the largest and most successful planters of
the county, as he is one of the deservedly popular
residents, is a native of Tennessee, having been
born in Memphis, in 1850. His father, Gen. Jo-
seph R. Williams, came originally from Peters-
burg, Va. , but as a citizen of Tennessee became a
prominent man and a lawyer of ability and influ-
ence, his extensive wealth adding largely to a just
reputation. He was a member of the State militia
of Tennessee before the war, and belonged to the
Memphis Blues, of which he was captain. He
o\vned large interests in Memphis, to which he de-
voted most of his time, not practicing the legal
profession in later life. He was once a member of
the I. O. O. F. His death occurred in 1881 at the
age of sixty years. His wife, formerly Miss Jane
T. Wilkins, of Kentucky nativity, is still living in
Memphis, in fair health, at the age of sixty years.
Mr. and Mrs. AVilliams were the parents of nine
children, five of whom are living, and of these our
subject was the eldest. In 1869 Mr. Williams
came to Arkansas, locating at his present residence,
which was then in Arkansas County. He received
a liberal education, partly in Toronto, Canada, and
at Washington and Lee University, Virginia, be-
coming well informed as a student, and in after
life a man of wide reputation through his extensive
reading. He now has upward of 22,000 acres of
land under his control, is proprietor of a general sup-
ply store for the hands that work on the place, and
has one of the largest gin houses on the river. Mr.
Williams is a genial, whole-souled man, thoroughly
liked by all his acquaintances. The place on which
he lives is one of the oldest settled farms in the
county, his father having been first married in the
present house May 12, 1845, to Miss Elizabeth H.
Taylor, daughter of Lewis Taylor, one of the early
settlers of Arkansas, who came from Virginia in
1888, and located part of this place. Elizabeth
was born in 1826 and died in 1847; they had one
son, now deceased.
George S. Willis, M. D. In the galaxy of
prominent men that honor Jefferson County with
their citizenship, Dr. Willis stands foremost among
the medical profession. He was born in Holly
Springs, Miss., on April 17, 1854, and is a son of
Dr. P. A. and Emily (Jackson) AVillis, of Charles-
ton, S. C, and Sussex County, Va. , respectively.
The parents were married in Virginia, and soon
after their union moved to Holly Springs, Miss. ,
where the father practiced his profession with great
success. He was a graduate of one of the leading
medical institutions in Georgia, and well known in
the South. He was a soldier in the Mexican War,
and during the rebellion was a member of the
famous Jeff Davis Rifles. After the latter event
he embarked in the drug business and combined
with it an office practice. In Masonic circles the
elder Willis was very prominent and had taken
some of the highest degrees in the order. In poli-
tics he was a Democrat and an influential man in
that party. Both parents were members of the
Episcopal Church. The mother's death occurred
when George was only three years old, and after
her decease the father was again married, his sec-
ond wife being Miss Sarah E. Rutherford. His
death occurred in 1879, at the age of sixty-two
years. Two children were born to his first mar-
riage, Edwin S. and George S., the former a
jarominent druggist at Holly Springs, Miss. , who
died from yellow fever in the year 1878, when that
terrible scoui'ge was raging throughout the South.
George S. was educated in Holly Springs and at
Oxford, Miss., and entered his father's drug estab-
lishment after ending his school days. He there
learned the business and studied medicine at the
same time up to 1874, when he attended the Mis-
souri Medical College at St. Louis, from which he
graduated. He next entered the wholesale house
of A. Wengler & Co., druggists in St. Louis, as
traveling salesman, and from there went to Louis-
228
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
ville, Ky. , where he traveled for Arthur Peter &
Co., wholesale druggists. In 1875 he became in-
terested in the drug business with Mr. Theodore
Linthicum, at Helena, Ark., and afterward at
Austin, Miss., besides locating at various other
places. In the meantime he had diligently kep
up his study, and at Harrisburg combined an office
practice with his drug business. Six months later
he located at Jonesboro and commenced a general
practice, but in 1885 moved to Midway Station.
The year following he came to his present place
where he has established an extensive practice and
become one of the leading physicians in the county.
On December 24, 1886, the Doctor was married to
Miss Ida Moore, of Water Valley, Miss., a daugh-
ter of Mr. J. J. Moore, and one son has been born
to the union, Edwin C. Dr. Willis is a member of
the Episcopal Church, and a liberal contributor to
religious and educational matters. He is a mem-
ber of the Royal Arcanum, and stands well in that
order. In politics he is a Democrat, and when
occasion requires, his iafluence is generally enough
to turn the tide in favor of that party in local elec-
tions.
James H. Winters, another leading planter
in Jefferson County, was born in Tishomingo
County, Miss. , December 2, 1847, and is a son of
Moses and Caroline (Brady) Winters, the father a
native of North Carolina, and the mother from
Kentucky. The parents were married in Missis-
sippi, and resided for several years in that State,
and at an early period settled in what now forms
a portion of Lincoln County, Ark. , where they
resided until the father's death on December 27,
1869. On his arrival in Arkansas, the father
entered a large tract of land from the Government,
and commenced clearing and improving it. The
country was then a complete wilderness and thickly
populated by wild animals, but in spite of the dif-
ficulties he established his home and opened up a
very productive farm. He served some time with
distinction in the Civil War, and on one occasion
was captured and confined at Pine Bluff. Nine
children were born to the parents, of whom eight
are yet living: James H. , Susan, Marion S. , Ten-
nessee, Henrietta, Lou, Samuel and Fannie C.
James H., the principal of this sketch, was very
small when his parents brought him to Arkansas,
and on account of the newness of the country, he
received a limited education in his youth, the log-
cabin school-house being the only one he could
attend. He continued on the farm with his par-
ents until reaching his maturity, and in the spring
of 1864 enlisted in the Confederate service, -act-
ing as courier until the surrender. He then re-
turned home, remaining with his parents until
his marriage when he sought out a home of his
own and located four miles southwest of Pine
Bluff. He opened up and operated a farm with
success until the spring of 1889, and then moved
to Pine Bluff, where he built a fine residence.
Mr. Winters was married in 1874 to Miss Tenney
Grifiin, by whom he has had three children: James
S. , Marion G. and Tenney G. This wife died
January 27, 1878, and on December 7, 1883, he
was married to Miss Rebecca Brethwait, of Ala-
bama, who has borne two children, Eunice and
Richard. Mrs. Winters is a daughter of Richard
Brethwait, a native of Ireland, one of the earliest
settlers of Claiborne County, Ark, She is a
devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, and
deeply interested in all religious and charitable
work connected with her commuaity. Mr. Winters
has been very successful in his farming operations
and now owns about 800 acres of productive land
with some 300 acres under cultivation, all of which
he has accu.mulated by energy, good management
and enterprise.
Hartwell T. and Joseph W. Wright are members
of one of the substantial firms of the county, and
men recognized as prominent planters. They are
sons of Joseph J. Wright, who was a native of
Alabama, and who, after marrying Elizabeth W.
Tucker, of North Carolina, removed to Tennessee,
where Hartwell was born, in Shelby County, Au-
gust 20, 1835. From there they went to Missis-
sippi, and in that locality Joseph W. first saw the
light, December 4, 1838. In 1839 a desire to
locate in Arkansas brought them to the place where
the subjects of this sketch now reside, and here
was opened up a farm of 400 acres and over.
Joseph Wright, Sr. , was born in 1809; he was a
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
229
representative and successful f)bysician, and after
removing to Arkansas, opened an ofSce in Pine
Bluff, becoming one of the leading men in his pro-
fession in this county, and at various times hold-
ing offices of trust. He died December 23, 185-1,
having been a strong advocate of temjierance. His
wife was born June 18, 1811, and died August 5,
1865. Hartwell and Joseph are the only survivors
of a family of eleven children. They vfere reared
on the place where they now live, and in youth
took great delight in hunting and fishing. Hart-
well served a short time in the Confederate army,
but being wounded at Point Pleasant, returned
home. He married Miss Mary R. Toney, a native
of Arkansas, who was born in Dallas County. She
died May 2i, 1883, leaving a large family: John
W. , Epps Virginia, Maggie, Lucius, Hartwell,
Talbot. Breckenridge, and Joseph (deceased). Jo-
seph Wright was lirst lieutenant of Company D,
Eighteenth Arkansas Regiment, and served until
the close of the war, taking part in the battle of
Jenkins' Ferry, Ark. , and also at Fort Pillow,
Tenn. Returning home he has since lived with
his brother. He has held the office of deputy
sheriff. These brothers are too well known to
need any introduction to the residents of this sec-
tion. Earnest, active and progressive in the de-
velopment of all worthy enterprises, they have
aided materially in advancing and furthering
needed improvement.
Capt. M. G. Sennett, recognized as one of the
most extensive cotton planters in Jeffei'son County,
was born in Kentucky, Madison County, October
26, 1839, and is a son of Penrose and Elizabeth
(Greenwood) Sennett, natives of France, the father
first settling in Pennsylvania and then moving to
Madison Countjy, Kentucky. The mother's par-
ents located in Ohio on their arrival from France,
and, later moved to Kentucky, where she met and
was married to Penrose Sennett. The father was
a noted physician during his life, and a graduate
of Wood's Medical College at Philadelphia, Penn.,
practicing his profession up to the time of his
death in 1861 at the age of fifty -two or fifty-three
years. His wife died in 1864 in the State of
Texas, and was aboiit the same age at the time of
death as her husband. The parents were members
of the Presbyterian Church, although the mother
had been reared a Catholic and always adhered to
that faith. The male members of the Sennett
family were all soldiers of France, at one time or
another of their lives, and Edward P., the father
of Penrose, was a colonel in Napoleon's army and
a resident of Lorraine Province. He was a political
and religious refugee from his native country, who
settled in the State of Pennsylvania. The Green-
wood family were prominent manufacturers of
France and also in the United States. The father
of Mrs. Sennett died on the Scioto River in Ohio,
where the family had settled on coming to this
country. The elder Sennett and his wife were the
parents of four children, of whom M. G. was the
third and the only one now living. Those dead
are William W. (who was a Confederate soldier,
and killed at the battle of Elkhorn), Elizabeth
(who was the wife of Edward C. Hawkins of Tip-
ton County, Tennessee, and died shortly after her
marriage), and Annie C. (who died in her twelfth
year.) M. G. Sennett was educated in the schools
of Lexington, Mo., and at the Batavia College,
Batavia, Ohio. In the early part of 1861 he left
school to enlist in the Confederate army, and be-
came a member of Company K, Col. Staple's regi-
ment, in which body he remained for about ten
months, and was then transferred east of the Missis-
sipj)i River, where he was assigned to Company B,
Third Missouri Infantry, under Col. Cockrell. He
first entered as a private, and remained in that
capacity until after the battle of luka, where he
was severely wounded, but after his recovery he
was promoted to the rank of third lieutenant, and
as his merits were recognized again the rank of
captain was conferred on him. He then went to
Missouri on recruiting service, and soon afterward
was captain of Company I, Ninth Confederate
Cavalry, taking part in the battles of luka, Corinth,
Franklin Mills, Oxford, and a number of others.
His later battles were at Grand Gulf, Bruensburg,
Fort Gibson, Biapeer, Raymond, Jackson, Edwards
Depot, Champion's Hill, Black River Bridge and
Vicksburg, where he was paroled. At that time
he was unable to secure any conveyance to return
230
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
home and walked all the way fi'om Demopolis, Ala. ,
to Green County, Missouri. In the latter place he
was able to procure horses and traveled through
Pettis, Saline, Lafayette and Cooper CoTinties,
organizing companies for the Confederate army.
On entering the ranks again he took part in a
number of skirmishes, and at Caney Bayou, in
Chicot County, Arkansas, his company stormed
and captured the stockades at the mouth of AVhite
River. He then joined Price's raid through Mis-
souri, and was at the battle of Pilot Knob when
Maj. Bennett of his regiment was killed. After
this they took the city of Sedalia, and then crossed
the Missouri River, taking part in all the battles
in that part of the country until the close of the
war, when he su^rrendered at Shreveport, La. At
the battle of Champion's Hill he was wounded, as
also at luka, and in several other engagements
received wounds, which sometimes aggravate him,
even at the present time. After the war he turned
his attention to cotton planting on the banks of the
Mississippi, but at the end of two years he came
to his present location. On his arrival he was
almost penniless, the war having robbed him of
almost everything, but he received $300 from his
father's estate with which to commence in business.
Misfortune still followed him. however, and the
end of his business experience found him $600
debt to Memphis merchants. Capt. Sennett was
then engaged as overseer and remained in that
capacity for four years, after which time he bought
an interest in the place now owned by him. He
controls 3, 100 acres in cotton and corn, and owns
a splendid farm of 500 acres which has been
greatly improved, and is some of the most fer-
tile soil in Arkansas. On May 6, 1869, the Cap-
tain was married to Miss Nannie C. Seythe, of
Jefferson County, by whom he had eight children.
Those living at present are: John F., Fannie
y . , Nannie B. and William M. Those deceased
are: Miles G., Bettie G., Susie P., Clifton B.
Capt. Sennett is a member of the Royal Area
num, and in politics is a stanch Democrat. He
embarked in mercantile life for several years, and,
though fortune has buffeted him on many occa-
sions, no man has ever had his confidence mis-
placed or lost a cent by the Captain's ill-luck.
SALINE COUNTY.
231
Saline Cointy— Orihinal Houndahy— County Seat— Public BtiiLniNos—JuDiriAiiY— Early Court
Transactions— Criminal Calendar— Beginning of Settlement— Pioneer Reminiscences-
Early Comers— Local Colonies— List of Officers- The County^ in the Civil War-
Commercial Centers— Journalistic Enterprises — Secret .Social Organiza-
tions—Moral and Spiritual Affairs — Financial Representation-
Location- Descriptive Analysis— Nature of Soil, Surface,
Products, etc. — Resources — Advantages
Offered— Biographical.
♦^<v®-
Can say, here nature ends.
But mixt like th' elements
So interweaved, so like, so
VLINE COUNTY* was carved
out of Pulaski County in 1835,
and then included a large por-
tion of vfhat is novp Grant,
Perry and Garland Counties.
The commissioners elected to
select the site for the seat of
^tice were Rezin Davis, Green B.
ughes and David Dodd.
B(>nton had been started about
two years previous, and owing to
its central location, in the most
thickly settled portion of the county,
was chosen as the county seat. This
same board of commissioners re-
tained their office (except that Abi-
jah Davis was appointed, some time
in 1836, to take the place of David Dodd, resigned)
until the July term of the county court, 1839,
when, after reporting, they resigned. This report
*Kind acknowledgements are due Rev. Finis Leach,
Thomas Pack. D. M. Cloud, Col. S. H. Whitthorne, Col.
T. C. Mays and others, for valuable information contrib-
uted in the compilation of this sketch.
None
and art begins,
and born like twins,
much the same. — Deiiham.
shows that the receipts from the county and State
revenue from November 2, 1835, to July, 1839,
amounted to 16,045.37, and that the expenditures
I for the same period aggregated $5,422.42. The
latter included the cost of land for public build-
ings, surveying the county and township lines, and
the building of the court house and county jail.
The first court house, a brick structure. 60x60
feet in size and two stories high, was erected in
1838, under the supervision of the board of com-
missioners. Jacob Hoover was the contractor for
the brick work. This building cost $3,574. Being
poorly constructed it was condemned by the court
in 1856, and the next year was torn down, the
present house subsequently being erected on the
same foundation.
There have been three county jails built in Sa-
line County. The first a log structure, and of great
durability, was erected in 1838, at a cost of $975.
It was burned, in 1859, by a rather disreputable
character named Thornton. The second jail was
erected the next year and was a strong log and
brick building; like the first, it was also destroyed
232
HISTOKY OF AEKANSAS.
by fire in 1S77. The incendiary was the murderer,
Tom Staner. The present jail is a good brick
house two stories in height, 20x60 feet in dimen-
sions, with cells below and the jailer's residence
above. It was built in 1879.
The first court in the county was held at a
school-house, about five miles west of Benton, in
November, ISST). Very little business was tran-
sacted other than the confirmation of officers.
Whisky was sold on the ground, and it is said that
the court and all of the members became so influ-
enced by this " intruder " that the records were
lost.
The next court convened at the Baptist meeting
house, near Duncan's. January 25, 1836. The
county officers elect were soon sworn in and their
bonds accepted by this court, after which it ad-
journed. There was no business of importance
before this honorable body except orders for open-
ing roads. On April 29, 1 836, the court ordered
that the county should be laid ofP into six muni-
cipal townships.
The first probate business transacted in the
county was during this same term, letters of ad-
ministration being granted to Rebecca Collins, on
the estate of W. Collins (deceased).
The first order to levy a tax was made at the
April term in 1837. taxing one sixth of one per
cent on property of white male citizens; and on all
over twenty-one and under fifty years of age, a
poll tax of tift}' cents, providing such persons had
no taxable property.
Notwithstanding the fact that a number of
murders, homicides and serious crimes were com-
mitted in the early and later times in Saline
County, but few cases appear as matters of record.
' The first murder trial in Saline County was
brought here on change of venue from Pulaski
County. This was the case of John Wilson (rep-
resentative) for the killing of Hon. J. J. Anthony,
in the State Capitol at Little Rock, as previously
mentioned. Wilson was acquitted.
The killing of George McDaniels by H. D.
Cross, about 1840, brought about the first trial for
murder committed in the county. Both parties
were saloon keepers of Benton, and the crime was
the result of heated passion growing out of too much
whisky. Cross was convicted of manslaughter,
fined $1,000 and sentenced to one year's imprison-
ment, but \va8 pardoned by the Governor and
did not serve his term. William Colvert, a sub-
stantial citizen of Benton, was a witness for the
State in Cross' trial. A deadly feud sprang uj)
between them; both were popular, and their quar-
rel, instead of remaining a personal matter, caused
a division throughout the county. In the same
year Colvert killed Cross, and was tried but ac-
quitted on proof that his life had been repeatedly
threatened by Cross. This tragedy left a feudal
feeling for several years, but no murders resulted.
The most shocking crime perpetrated in this
county was the murder of Mrs. McH. Staner and
a neighbor lady, Mrs. H. T. B. Taylor, in 1877.
This took place in what is now JefPerson Town-
ship, about eighteen miles northwest of Benton.
The murderer, Tom Staner, was a nephew of
McH. Staner, and was partly reared by the lat-
ter. The deed was done for money. Mr. Staner
was away from home, and young Staner thinking
that he knew where his uncle kept his money,
selected that time to obtain it. Going to the house
he killed Mrs. Staner. and proceeded to rifle his
uncle's trunk, supposed to contain the money.
While thus engaged Mrs. Taylor came in, and
the fiend turned upon her and caused her immedi-
ate death. The first person to discover the crime
was a boy about sixteen years of age, who was
working for Mr. Staner, and had left the field at
the dinner hour. This boy, Samuel H. Brooks,
was a half-brother of the murderer, and was in-
cluded in the plot of the criminal.
Great excitement prevailed throughout the coun-
try, and circumstances threw suspicion on Staner,
who was arrested and incarcerated in the jail at
Benton. While in confinement he wrote a letter
to his brother describing some hidden money, which
letter fell into the hands of the sheriff, and that
officer, following the directions contained therein,
found the money, and with it some of Mrs. Stan-
er' s jewelry. When confronted with this revela-
tion Staner confessed to the commission of the
deed.
SALINE COUNTY.
233
The wildest excitement prevailed, and the pris-
oner was removed to Pulaski County jail for safe
keeping. His trial followed shortly after. His
confession, together with the evidence adduced,
disclosed the most fiendish plots, and proved that
the criminal had been thwarted in a desperate ca-
reer of rapine and mnrder. Staner was con-
victed and sentenced to be hnng the same year,
and was publicly executed in the court house yard
in Benton, in November, 1877. The murderer's
intention had been to kill his half-brother, Samiiel
H. Brooks, and Mrs. Staner, and secure what
money he could there, and then to commit a num-
ber of similar crimes, and leave the country. After
his sentence, and while in jail awaiting execution,
he made a desperate eilort to escape, Inirning a
log out of the wall of the building in order to
make an aperture, and even succeeded in getting
on the outside, but the appearance of the jailer,
J. F. Shoppach, at an opportune moment, and the
firing of three effectual pistol shots, brought the
escaping man to a halt. The jail burned, and
the murderer was nursed and guarded in the court
hoiise till the day of his execution, when he was
carried to the scaffold, and hanged in the pres-
ence of an immense concourse of people.
The victims of this brutal affair belonged to
highly respected families, and the crime cast a
gloom over the entire community. The ladies
were killed with an ordinary fire poker.
Several instances of horse stealing have oc-
curred from time to time, the most important of
which is the Thornton -Garner case. The parties
in this affair were Peter Garner, Field Garner,
and William Thornton. The Garners were con-
victed, and sentenced to five years' imprisonment
each, and Thornton to a term of ten years in the
penitentiary. Thornton burned the first jail, but
was not tried for the offense. He died while serv-
ing his sentence for horse stealing.
Saloon licenses were freely granted, and in-
temperance had full sway for a number of years,
and it is stated that with the exception of the
Staner murder case, and one or two others, whisky
caused the greater amount of crimes. As early as
1872, the temperance people began to agitate the
liquor question, and experienced various successes
and failures, sometimes almost successful, and at
other times discouraged. In 1878 the county voted
on local option; every township was carried by the
temperance people except Saline. In 1882 the
citizens of Benton took advantage of the three-
mile law, and since that time there have been no
spirituous liquors legally sold in this county.
As in the case of other localities mentioned in
the present volume, the territory which is now em-
braced by Saline County was originally a part of
Arkansas Territory, and later Pulaski County.
Occasionally a hunting party or a solitary trapper
passed through the dense forests of Saline River
bottom, killing deer and other large game in cane-
brakes, or taking fish from the limpid waters of the
river. The natural inhabitants of the community
remained undisturbed for many years.
The first man (white) to break the forests of
Saline County, and signalize advancing civiliza-
tion, was William Lockert, who came in the spring
of 1815, with his family, settling four miles south-
west of Benton, at the point where the military
road crosses the Saline. For two years these per-
sons were the only ones here. Some time during
the year 1817, Abner Herald and hi.s two stepsons,
Isham and John Pelton (with their families), and
James Buckan and family reached Mr. Lockert' s,
and later selected locations for homes, a little farther
up the river. Aboiit the same time, or within the
period between 1817 and 1821, Josiah Stover lo-
cated a few miles west of Lockerts, and James
Prudden, four miles south; Judge William Cald-
well, William Duncan, Joseph and Harlan Clift
selected farms west of the Saline River. About
1823 Ezra M. Owen and several others began a
settlement at Collegeville. Owen planned a school,
which he hoped to make the State University, and
named the town or settlement Collegeville.
As Owen's settlement was near the geograph-
ical center of the territory he laid oft' the town, and
endeavored to secure the capital at that point.
Being in a good farming section, Collegeville was
rapidly settled. Robert and Valentine Brazil, and
Samuel Williams, came to the county about 1820,
and opened farms near Benton. In 1S25 twelve
234
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
families, removed to CoUegeville from Lawrence
County, Ark. , and fi'om that place cut a road
throncfh the woods to the Saline River where they
made a settlement, now known as the ' ' Lindsey
Settlement," seven miles northwest of Benton.
Among this brave pioneer band were Caleb Lind-
sey, Sr., John Y. Lindsey, Abijali Davis, Henry
Louis Fletcher, George James, "William Williams
(Blind Billy), Bnrket Lindsey, and others whose
names are not now remembered. This was one of
the most important beginnings in the county as
the men comprising it were a thrifty class of indi-
viduals who were seeking permanent homes.
Others entered soon after. A lai'ge number of
families from Kentucky opened farms and made
for themselves abiding places, naturally giving to
the locality the name Kentucky Township. Many
of their descendants still live here, comprising
some of Saline County's most substantial citizens.
Prominent among those who came after 1(S30
might be mentioned Green B. Hughes. Rev. Andrew
Hunter, David Dodd, Rev. Samuel Henderson and
Rev. Aaron Bolt. From 1833 to 1837, William
Scott, Thomas Pack, William Shoppach and A. R.
Hoekersmith settled in and around Benton, and
during the summer of 1837 ninety families took up
their abode in Saline Township. The leaders of
this colony were Thomas Keese, Robert Calvert,
Berryman McDaniel, George Cobb, John Green,
Joab Pratt, Nathan Pumphrey and Jacob Leach.
After this the county was settled more rapidly;
churches and schools were formed and material
progress and advancement were noticeable. Very
few of the old landmarks of that day and genera-
tion remain, a large percentage of the first settlers
having passed to the "silent majority." Some
have moved to other States. None of Lockerts or
the original family of Caldwells are at present living
in the county. Of those who came in 1817, Sibby
(Pelton) Shoppach (consort of William Shoppach
and the mother of the present sheriff of Saline
County) is the only survivor. Harlan Clift and
Mrs. Rutha A. Wills, both of whom located here
in 1824, are still living. From 1815 to 1825 early
customs and experiences were not very different
from those of other sections. Settlers ground
their corn on hand-mills, requiring the labor of
one member of the family for about half the time;
all articles of clothing including shoes were made
by hand; wild game of different kinds abounded,
hunting and fishing were the principal sports and
pastimes, as well as the most profitable means of
suljsistence, and the pioneer found Little Rock,
a small trading post twenty-three miles away, the
only place where any of the products of the farm
or the chase could be exchanged for commodities,
or where a ' ' turn of corn ' " might be ground. Be-
ing determined to overcome these inconveniences
as far as possible, Samuel Williams, in 1825,
erected a water-mill, the first on Williams' Creek,
about ten miles northwest of Benton, and for a
few years enjoyed a thriving business, or until the
entire mill was washed away by a freshet. About
1830 Charles Caldwell built a water-mill five miles
northwest of Benton, and in the same year Joseph
Clift erected a horse-mill eight miles southwest of
that town in what is now Fair Play Township; in
1838, James Harrill and Burket Lindsey con-
structed a water-mill on Holly Creek, four miles
southeast of Benton, in Shaw Township. Later a
number of grist-mills and cotton-gins were erected.
The county enjoyed a healthy growth for an inland
section, till 1873, when the Iron Mountain Rail-
road was built through it, this lending material aid
and giving an impetus which still continued, proving
of decided benefit to further improvement and de-
velopment, and about that time the manufacture
of pottery was begun, which soon became the lead-
ing manufacturing industry of the county.
With every colony entering the wild and un-
broken territory of Saline, there were Godly men,
whose sole aim in life was to build up a common-
wealth rich in religious and moral virtues, and these
did their work well. The house of the first settler
(William Lockert) was the place where the earliest
preaching was heard; and there, too, are many
groves sacred to the memory of the oldest citizens,
who first heard in this region, from the lips of the
pioneer preacher, the " Words of Life." Others
there were different in thoughts and purposes,
and whose aims seemed in decided contrast to the
minds of the more spiritually minded; hence, like
SALINE COUNTY.
235
all frontier settlements, the virtues and vices of the
new locality flourished together.
Religious meetings were about the only public
gatherings of early days, and these were attended
by every one. Some would take their guns with
them, hiding them during services, and perhaps
kill a deer 'or turkey on the way home. To be-
come a skillful hand with the rifle was the highest
ambition of the pioneer youth. ' ' Log rollings ' '
and ' ' corn huskings " ' were common diversions,
and a means of mutual benefit, and the scene of
many athletic encounters between those who
"Ijanked" on their muscle; in those times, too,
the "little brown jug" played its part."
The official list of Saline County comprises the
following named individuals, all well remembered
and esteemed, whose terms of service are annexed:
Judges of the county courts: T. S. Hutchin-
son, 1835-36; H. Prudden, 1836-38; R. Brazil,
1838-40; W. M. Scott, 1840-42; A. R. Crisp,
1842-44; G. B. Hughes, 1844-46 ; Robert Cal-
vert, 1846-50; W. M. Scott, 1850-52; W. E.
Beavers, 1852-54; Joseph Scott, 1854-60; James
T. Foe, 1860-62; W. Scott, 1862-1868; J. A.
Medlock, 1868 to July, 1868; T. A. Morris, from
July, 1868, to February, 1869; then J. A. Med-
lock again, till 1874; J. W. Adams, 1874-78;
D. J. McDonald, 1878-82; Barton Howard, 1882
to November, 1883; then John L. Laymon, judge
(vice B. Howard, deceased), till 1884; A. A. Craw-
ford, 1884-90.
Clerks of the county courts : Samuel Cald-
well, 1835-36; G. B. .Hughes, 1836-38; S. S.
Collins, 1838-40; G. B. Hughes. 1840-42; E. M.
Owen, 1842-46; A. R. Hockersmith, 1846-52;
J. W. Shoppach, 1852-62; L. Collins, 1862-64;
A. R. Hockersmith, 1864-66; M. J. Henderson,
1866-68; J. A. Mills, 1868-72; J. P. Henderson,
1872-74; J. H. Shoppach, 1874-80; J. F. Shoe-
maker, 1880-88; J. L. Parham, 1888-90.
Sheriffs: V. Brazil, 1835-36; Samuel Collins,
1836-38; E. M. Owen, 1838-42; G. W. Ruther-
ford, 1842-44; Thomas Pack, 1844-48; J. M. Mills,
1848-50; Thomas Pack, 1850-52; William Craw-
ford, 1852-54; W. A. Crawford, 1854-58; M. S.
Miller, 1858-62; Thomas Pack, 1862-68; W. M.
Pack, 1868-72 (L. G. Williams was sheriff from
July to October, 1868); W. W. Thompson, 1872-
80; J. F. Shoppach, 1880-90.
Treasurers: J. Y. Lindsey, 1836-40; N. Davis,
1840-44; A. B. Bates, 1844-46; M. M. Cloud,
1846-48; D. E. Steel, 1848-50; James Carter,
1850-60; William T. Poe, 1860-62; J. F. White,
1862-66; C. F. Moore, 1866-68; R. M. Thomp-
son, 1868-72; G. W. Hunnicutt, 1872-76; M. W.
House, 1876-78; J. Kirkpatrick. 1878-84; John
A. Wilkerson, 1884-86; J. A. Wilkerson, 1886-90.
Coroners: C. Lindsey, 1835-36; J. J. Joiner,
1836-38; George McDaniel, 18.38-40; E. Hooper,
1840-44; W. G. W. Erwin. 1844-46; J. Brooks,
1846-48; J. B. Lane, 1848-50; W. H. Keltner,
1850-52; J. T. Walker, 1852-54; M. R. Thomp-
son, 1854-56; Wiley Lewis, 1856-58; E. Leech,
1858-62; J. G. Glidewell, 1862-68; J. A. Halbert,
1868-72; W. W. Jordan, 1872-74; W. Leech,
1874-76; William Leech, 1876-78; William Brent,
1878-80; T. Lewis, 1880-82; H. Holland. 1882-
84; W. S. Winchester, 1884-88; D. F. Dobbins,
1888-90.
Surveyors: A. Carrick, 1835-36; J. R. Con-
way, 1836-38; C. P. Lyle, 1838-42; F. Leech,
1842-46; J. H. Nisewander, 1846-48; F. Leech,
1848-52; George J. Cloud, 1852-56; J. H. Martin,
1856-60; J. W. Smith, 1860-62; A. J. McAlister,
1862-66; W. A. Wilson, 1866-68; W. R. Gregory,
1868 to March, 1871 (then W. L. Lee, till 1872):
J. W. Hammond, 1872-74; W. S. Lee, 1874-80;
J. W. Hammond, 1880-86; J. F. Wright, 1886-90.
Assessors: The sheriffs were ex officio assessors
from 1835 to 1868; E. H. Vance, Jr., 1868-70;
followed by R. Thompson, until 1872; J. Cooper,
1872-76; J. M. Cooper, 1876-78; J. L. Crabtree,
1878-86; D. A. Cameron, 1886-90.
Representatives: Charles Caldwell, 1836-38;
W. S. Lockert, 1838-40; R. Brazil and David
Dodd, 1840-42; Robert Calvert and R. Brazil,
1842-43; Charles Caldwell, 1844-4p; Green B.
Hughes, 1846-47; W. M. Scott and William Hen-
slee, 1848-49; J. M. Wills and D. Dodd, 1851-
52; James F. Fagan, 1852-53; A. R. Hocker-
smith, 1854-55; L. H. Bean. 1856-57; AVilliam
A. Crawford, 1858-59: Robert Murphy, 1861-61,
236
HISTOEY OF ARKANSAS.
also 1862-63. Saline County had no representa-
tive in the Fifteenth legislature, 1864-65; B. S.
Medlock, 1866-67. The Seventeenth legislature
elected the members by districts, and Saline was
represented together with Dallas and Perry by G.
H. Kyle and J. G. Gibbon, 1868-6'.); Grant, Perry,
Dallas and Saline represented by W. R. Harley
and J. H. Scales, 1869-71, and by J. W. Gossett
and W. R. Harley, 1872-73; Dallas, Perry and
Saline represented by M. M. Diiffie and J. "W.
Gossett at extra session. May, 1874; Alexander
Russell, 1874-75; Isaac Harrison, 1877; same,
1879; J. W. Adams, 1881-82; S. W. Adams, 1883-
84; J. A. P. Bingham, 1885-86; P. M. Trammel,
1887-88; V. D. Lafferty, 1888-90.
On some accounts it might perhaps be well to
overlook the part which Saline County took in the
late internecine strife, not that it is unworthy of
mention, but to avoid the recollection of what is
now being rapidly forgotten. The following facts,
however, will serve to show that as a whole loyalty
to those interests felt to be right was maintained,
and the county emerged from the strife satisiied
to go forward and repair the devastation wrought
by the ruthless hand of war.
Saline furnished not far from 1,800 men for
the Confederate service, about twenty per cent of
whom returned; the remainder bravely laid down
their lives in demand to the call made upon them.
Heroes they were, and the memory of their de-
votion will live on forever. The companies raised
for the war were as follows: Company E, Capt.
James F. Fagan (later general); First Arkansas
Infantry, Capt. M. J. Henderson, a full company
for the Third Arkansas Cavalry; Capt. J. W.
Adams, a full company for the Twenty-fifth Ar-
kansas Infantry.
The Eleventh Arkansas had from Saline
County full companies made up by Capts. John
Douglas, Mooney, Vance, Smith and Waters,
in 1861; Capts. Walter Watkins, Mark Miller
and Capt. Brown each raised companies, which
were transferred to the Trans Mississippi Artillery;
Capts. Threlkill, Gregory and Brown recruited
companies in 1862, and in the same year Capts.
Isaac Harrison, A. A. Crawford, and A. C. Hock-
ersmith raised recruiting companies. There were
no battles fought within the county's limits, but
the people suffered a full share from the hands of
the Federal troops, as well as fi'om marauding
parties and unprincipled men belonging to neither
army.
One martyr, David O. Dodd, a son of Andrew
Dodd, a youth of eighteen, was sent by the Con-
federate commander, as a spy, to ascertain the
strength and position of the Union army at Little
Rock, in December, 1864. His actions aroused
suspicion, and led to his arrest. The papers found
on his person showed that he had performed his
work well. He had complete drawings of the
Union strong-holds and weak points, and plans that
indicated others were with him. The young man
was tried and sentenced to be hanged as a spy.
On account of his youth Gen. Steele, the officer
in command, disliked to execute the sentence, and
offered to pardon young Dodd if he would give the
names of the others that were with him, but the
brave boy replied that he preferred to die, rather
than to betray his friends, and was accordingly
hanged January 12, 1865.
Two companies were made up for the Federal
army in Saline County, one by Capt. Patrick
Dodd, and another by Capt. Sol. Miller, in 1862-
63. During the winter of 1863-64 a portion of
Gen. Steele's army were camped at Benton. They
built a fort on the military road in North Ben-
ton, which is still well defined, also constructing
an embankment across the same road, in the south
part of the town. Neither of the fortifications,
however, were ever used.
It is a fact apparent to every close observer,
that centers of commercial importance in any com-
munity seem to indicate the real condition of the
agricultural region surrounding them. The towns
and villages of Saline County, while not noted as
large cities, are especially important in their re-
lation to the county as a whole.
Benton was not the first town laid out in Saline
County, but it was a place of business as early as
1834. In that year Joshua Smith kept a store in
his house, and as the country around began to
settle up, others came and engaged in mercantile
business, each for a short time. In 1S37 Joshua
Smith and William Calvert formed a partnership
and built a large storehouse, putting in a large
stock of goods. Smith died just as the new firm
was about to begin business, which was subse-
(juently carried on by Calvert.
About the same time A. R. Hockersmith and
Thomas Pack each erected buildings and entered
into merchandising, and later on James Moore and
George A. McDonald built a hotel on the present
site of Pack's Hotel. After this the town grew
rapidly for several years.
An order of incorporation was granted at the
April term of court in 1839. Rezin Davis was
appointed mayor, and Jacob Hoover, James Cox,
Presley L. Smith, William Calvert and Robert
Gregory, councilmen. Judge Halsey Prudden mak ■
ing the appointments.
Originally there were but eighty acres laid otf
for the town of Benton, and that land was deeded
to the commissioners by Rezin Davis for a con-
sideration of 133. Prior to the war twenty acres
were added on the north called North Benton. In
1853 Allen's addition of twenty acres to the south-
ern part was made, followed in 1870 by Field's
addition of 160 acres on the west. These addi-
tions, together with the original eighty acres, com-
prise the present area of Benton. It is a growing
town, at this time numbering about 900 inhabit-
ants, and includes among its interests the follow-
ing three churches, Baptist, Methodist, and Presby-
terian ; two good school buildings, in which five
teachers are employed ; ten general stores, three drug
stores, two groceries, a butcher, two barbers, three
hotels and two boarding houses, one livery, four
blacksmiths, seven resident preachers, five lawyers,
four physicians, one saddle and harness shop and
two shoemakers. The leading industry is the man-
ufacture of pottery, there being seven large plants
in and near the town. Two gin and grist-mills,
besides a planing mill and a tannery lend additional
strength to the business of the place. Most fortun-
ately there are no saloons here, and, as might be
expected, the moral atmosphere of the town is
elevating. Being centrally located in the county,
twenty-three miles south of Little Rock on the
main line of the St. Louis & Iron Mountain Rail-
road, Benton's 2:)rospects for future prosperity are
most encouraging, and there is every reason to ex-
pect a permanent, substantial growth, not in the
distant future, but now.
Traskwood, the only town in the township of
the same name, is situated in the southern part of
the county, on the main line of the Iron Mountain
Railroad. It was commenced as early as 1873,
but only existed as a flag station until 1882, at
which time several new houses were erected, and
the place entered upon a successful growth. It now
comprises a railroad depot, four general stores, one
hotel, a lumber yard and one gin and grist mill, be-
sides sundry interests. The Traskwood public and
private school at this point was established in 1886
by Prof. W. P. Johnson, with the assistance of other
leading citizens of Traskwood. It is one of the best
institutions in the county, and an important factor
in the development of educational affairs.
Collegeville, the oldest town io the county, and
on this account a place of prominence, was settled
in 1824 by Ezra M. Owen, who laid off forty acres
of land in town lots, and made other preparations
for a large center. As elsewhere stated, he planned
a school, that was intended to become the State
College, and gave his town the name of College-
ville. Quite a "boom" was created in this pio-
neer village by its enterprising founder, and Col-
legeville came very near being the capital of the
State, in 1836, only losing that distinction by a
few votes. While not having met the expectation
of its originator, it is now a brisk little hamlet
containing six families, two stores, one church and a
good private school.
Bryant, started in 1873, is a live little village
on the Iron Mountain Railroad, in Bryant Town-
ship. It is situated on the highest point between
Little Rock and Texarkana, on that road, and has
a railroad depot, four stores, a blacksmith shop,
two churches and a Masonic hall.
Woodson is a thriving town in Perkins Town-
ship, on the Little Rock, Mississippi River & Texas
Railroad, located in the best farming section of
the county. Its population is forty.
Hensley, also in Perkins Township, is a com-
238
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
paratively new town started in 1881 by Mr. W. B.
Hensley. Its enterprise and prominence as a place
of local commercial importance have gathered
within its limits about 400 peoj^le.
Journalistic efforts have combined in all ages
to wield immense influence in the channels to
which their attention has been directed. The first
paper published in Saline County was the Saline
County Digest, founded by W. A. Webber, in
1876. This was a seven-column folio, published
weekly, and of Democratic tendencies politically.
The Digest enjoyed a good patronage, and had a
circulation of 1,000. In November, 1882, the
paper became the proj^erty of B. B. Beavers, who
called his publication the Saline County Review.
It was edited and published by him till November,
1883, when Col. S. H. Whitthorne bought Beavers'
interest and gave to the Review the name of
Saline Courier, increasing the size of the paper,
and making it a nine column folio.
The Saline Courier (same name as the above)
was established by Col. S. H. Whitthorne, in Sep-
tember, 1882, and was ably conducted by him, as
its editor and proprietor, until August, 1883, when
the office was sold to Jim Tom Story, the latter
moving the same to Malvern. The Courier had
been fi'om its first issue the rival of the Digest,
notwithstanding both were Democratic in politics.
In November, 1883, Col. S. H. Whitthorne. com-
plying with the request of a large number of the
citizens of Benton and Saline County to resume
the newspaper business, purchased the Review
outfit, and again entered upon the publication of
the Saline Courier. The Courier office, with all
its contents, was distroyed by fire in December,
1883, but was replaced by an entirely new equip-
ment, fifteen days later. This journal afterward
changed hands a number of times, being bought
by T. K. Whitthorne in April, 1885, who sold in
November, 1885, to H. D. Laymond. Its founder.
Col. S. H. Whitthorne, once more assumed control
in August, 1886, and decidedly improved it,
increasing its size to that of a nine-column folio,
and greatly enlarging its circulation. In Octo-
ber, 1887, Col. Whitthorne sold out to A. F.
Gardner, who ran the paper without change till
October 10, 1888, when he sold to Col. T. C.
Mays, under whose able management it now goes
forth weekly, as a five-column quarto, Democratic
politically. It is doing a great service toward the
development of the resources of Saline County.
In changing the form of the paper, its present
editor, also changed the name to the Benton
Courier, under which title it enters the homes
of many readers.
In the matter of secret societies Saline County
is well represented, the inducements ofPered by
these various organizations being substantially
appreciated by the residents of this locality.
The first Masonic lodge in the county was Ben-
ton Lodge No. 3-1, which was organized January 14,
1850. under dispensation from E. H. English, G.
W. M. of the supreme lodge. Those named in the
dispensation as officers were C. Scott, W. M. ;
Isaac T. Cole, S. W., and Henry T. Cole, J. W.
Among those present were Jacob Leach, Joseph
Dirgan, Abijah Davis and David Dodd, who joined
in the petition to the grand lodge for organization.
Thomas Pack and Robert Garrett were subsequent-
ly initiated at the first meeting of the lodge.
Other societies of this order organized later in
the county are Ionic No. 377, of Union Township;
Paran No. 309, of Jefferson Township; Bryant No.
441, Bryant Township; Iron Springs No. 342, Ban-
ner Township, and Adoniram Lodge, Hurricane
Township, and Fair Play Lodge in Fair Play
Township. All have good halls, and are in a flour-
ishing condition.
Saline Lodge No. 9, I. O. O. F., located at
Benton, was organized September 20, 1852, Capt.
J. A. P. Bingham, Simon Mora, A. Oswald, David
F. Leach and C. L. Davis being among the charter
members. This society has a pleasant lodge room
over the First Methodist Episcopal Church, and
includes a membership of fourteen at the present
time. S. M. Sweeten is noble grand, and Dr. C.
Hays, secretary.
Corona Lodge No. 7,(Rebekah Degree), I. O. O.
F. , was instituted October 24, 1884. Its member-
ship numbers sixteen. Eva Torrey is noble grand.
Dr. C. Hays also being secretary of this body.
Benton Lodge No. 26, I. O. G. T. was organ-
SALINE COUNTY.
239
ized September 22, 1875, by Col. S. H. Whit-
thorne, G. W. L. , by whom also it was reorganized
Nov. 12, 1880. A convenient lodge room is in
the Odd Fellows' hall. This society has the best
interests of the community at heart.
Saline Lodge No. 1319, which was organized
January 8, 1879, with twenty-seven members, has
paid six benefits, and has a membership of lifty-
eight at present. Their room is in the Odd Fel-
lows' hall.
It is very important that special attention should
be directed to the educational development of a
locality as indicating the true tone of its advance-
ment and culture. As may perhaps be supposed,
there were very few public schools in Saline before
the war, owing to the lack of popular favor mani-
fested toward the free school system, but good se-
lect schools have been numerous since 1836. Prom-
inent among the pioneer " wielders of the birch "
hereabouts were J. L. Yaney, William Jones, Rev.
Finis Leach, Mrs. J. C. Moore, W. S. Lee, Rich-
ard Hammond, and a Mr. Thorington, who taught
subscription schools, and many of the substantial
citizens of this county were their pupils. Of the
teachers named only one. Rev. F. Leach, is at pres-
ent living. Public schools became more popular
about 1872, and in that year buildings were erected
in every township, fifteen in number. The following
summary shows the actual condition of the schools
in 1889: White children, 3,996; colored, G83; ag-
gregate, 4,679; number enrolled, 4,446. Number
of teachers, sixty-two; amount paid to teachers,
$2,018.33; number of schools taught, fifty; num-
ber of houses erected during the year, six. The
receipts for the year aggregated $13,881.41, while
the expenditures amounted to $13,032.59. Two
institutes have been held during the year, attended
by nearly every teacher, and proving of much good
and encouragement in the direction of youthful in-
struction. The school- houses are generally well
furnished, and the schools are in a prosperous
condition. Several good private schools are also
maintained in the county.
As the earliest forerunners of religious denomi-
nations in Saline's present territory the Methodists
deserve prominent mention, having been the first
to establish churches,, and hold services here.
Until 1836 Arkansas belonged to Missouri Confer-
ence. As early as 1817 Revs. William Stevenson
and John Harris were appointed to Hot Springs
district, and were probably the pioneer Methodist
ministers in this part of the State. Mr. Steven-
son, the more distinguished of the two, was made
presiding elder of Hot Springs district, and served
four years in that capacity. Some time in 1817
Rev. Stevenson held religious services at the resi-
dence of William Lockert, probably the first in the
county. At that time there were only six families
in what is now called Saline County, and for several
years after meetings were held in neighbors' houses
and in groves.
Benton Methodist Episcopal Church was found-
ed about 1836, and the present building erected
in 1853. This was the first church in Benton, and
was built by all denominations, the Odd Fellows
aiding by their assistance in completing the upper
part of the house for their hall.
Saline Church, organized perhaps as early as
1840, is the site of Saline camp ground. It is in
Saline Township and was founded by Rev. Patrick
Scott. Mount Zion and New Bethel, in Saline
Township; Pleasant Hill, in Union Township
(founded in 1870); Wesley's Chapel (now Bryant),
at Bryant; Oak Grove (organized in 1856); Mount
Carmel (1889), in Saline Township; Hunter's
Chapel (organized in 1886 and dedicated by Rev.
E. N. Watson, P. E.); McNeleand's Chapel (1889);
Pleasant Hill, Shaw Township (1858); Sardis,
Hurricane Township (1858), the site of Centen-
ary camp grounds; Saline Hill, Banner Town-
ship (1857, originally Old Saline); Collegeville,
Owen Township (1856); Paran, Jefferson Town-
ship; Liberty, Liberty Township (1870); Hickory
Grove (1859), Fair Play Township; Traskwood
(1889), are all flourishing societies, and nearly all
have good Sabbath-schools connected with them.
Saline camp ground referred to above, and one of
the most noted in the State, was started in 1867,
under the leadership of Rev. Patrick Scott. It is
located six miles northwest of Benton, and has, in
addition to a commodious tabernacle over 100
booths. Centenary camp ground was commenced
240
HISTORY OF ARKANSAS.
and improved by Sardis Church. A camp ground
in Hurricane Township, twelve miles east of Ben-
ton, vpas laid out in 1884: by Rev. Harvey Watson,
the leading spirit; a good tabernacle and twenty-
four booths are here.
The Baptists, like the Methodist brethren, be-
gan religious work at a very early date. The first
minister of this denomination, of whom anything
can be learned, was Rev. Jesse Bland, who is
mentioned as early as 1825. Later are found the
names of Revs. Samuel Henderson, Silas Dodd,
Aaron Bolt and Allen Samuels.
Union Baptist Church was the first Baptist or-
ganization in the county, having started in 1830,
with eight members at the house of Rev. Jesse
Bland. Services were held in groves and private
houses until 1835, when around log church build-
ing was erected. Jesse Bland and Silas Dodd
were the most prominent among the original mem-
bers. The church continued without a pastor till
1834, when Rev. Samuel Henderson was called to
serve them, remaining till 1840. He was followed
by Rev. Aaron Bolt up to 1845, and since that time
a number of others have occupied the pulpit.
They now have a good liuilding near the site of the
original church, and a membership of 106. Rev.
J. T. Henderson is pastor.
Spring Creek (Benton) Baptist Church was the
second organized in this county, the meeting
being held in the house of David Dodd, on the
first Sunday in April, 1886. Rev. Samuel Hen-
derson preached the sermon. Revs. Allen Samu-
els, Silas Dodd and Moses Bland being instru-
mental in the formation. The charter members
were David Webb, Elizabeth Webb, Samuel Hen-
derson, Aaron Bolt, David Dodd and Sarah Dodd.
Rev. Samnel Henderson was moderator.
Spring Creek Church continued to grow and
prosper, and in 1878 changed the name to the
First Bajatist Church of Benton, worshipping in
the Union Church until 1881, when the present
substantial edifice was erected. They now have a
membership of 150, and a flourishing Sabbath-
school, of which D. M. Cloud is superintendent.
Rev. B. F. Milam is pastor of the church.
Salem Church was organized, in 1836, by Rev.
Allen Samuels, who was its first pastor. It is
situated in JefPerson Township, and is now under
the spiritiial guidance of Rev. H. A. Goodwin.
North Fork Church was organized in Holland
TownshijJ, in 1837, by Samuel Henderson, who
was pastor up to 1841.
Kentucky Charch, situated in Kentucky Town-
ship, six miles northwest of Benton was organized
by John Y. Lindsey, in 1837, and services were
held in groves and private houses until 1840. A
house was then built in the grove where the church
was organized. Rev. Lindsey was pastor df this
church from 1837 till his death, in 1865. Rev. F.
Moore served iintil 1869, and Rev. J. T. Hender-
son from 1869 to 1874. The present membership
is 169.
There are a number of other churches of this
denomination in the county, twenty-two in all.
Every township has at least one. Spring Creek
Church was the body with which the First Baptist
Association met that convened south of the Arkan-
sas River in Arkansas. This was in October,
1836, delegates being in attendance from Louisi-
ana and Southern Arkansas, some of whom trav-
eled over 200 miles in ox wagons. Rev. Samuel
Henderson was moderator.
The Presbyterians began church work in Saline
County in 1838, and in that year founded an
organization four miles south of Benton. Rev.
William Harland was pastor, and Robert Calvert,
Thomas Keesee, Jr. , and Gideon Keesee, ruling
elders. The society was called "Saline Congre-
gation, ' ' and for a time flourished, but finally went
down. It was reorganized at Benton, in 1851, by
Rev. John F. King, pastor, and F. Leach, Robert
Calvert and John Lindsey, ruling elders. Up
to 1884 worship was held in the Methodist Episco-
pal Church building at Benton, but at that time
a good frame house (the present one), in Benton,
was constructed and utilized. The present mem-
bership numbers eighty; Rev. J. P. Lemon is pas-
tor. A good Sabbath-school is an encouraging
branch of the church work. Rev. Finis Leach,
one of the original members, and who joined at
the first organization, still survives.
Financial afPairs always occupy a prominent
SALINE COUNTY.
241
place in the proceedings of courts, and Saline is
no exception to the general rule. The amount of
taxes collected for the year 1837 was |546.62i;
1838, $1,241.01; for 1839, .|2,349.33. A gradual
increase was siibsequently observed in the tax sys-
tem, and the methods of collecting delinquent
taxes were much improved. In 1882 Saline
County's indebtedness was $24,000, and, in 1889,
13,339.64, the indebtedness having been reduced
to its present limit since the closing of the saloons.
Prior to that time a decided annual increase ob-
tained. The delinquent tax is now small, and the
county will be entirely free from debt in two years.
A spirit of improvement is manifested throughout
the entire community. A $5,000 iron bridge over
the Saliue River, on the military road, was ordered
at the October term of court, 1889, and other im-
provements of decided benefit are assured. The
total rate of taxation is 15 mills, apportioned as
follows: County, 4 mills; bridge, 1 mill; special
school tax, 5 mills; State, 5 mills.
Having in these pages given a sketch of the
material affairs of Saline County, it may be of in-
terest to note its natural advantages of production
and growth, so abundantly supplemented by man' s
wisdom and enterprise. The county's location is
a most favorable one. Situated in the central part
of the State, it is bounded north by Perry, east
and northeast by Pulaski, south by Grant and Hot
Spring, and west by Garland and Perry Counties,
in a section peculiarly fertile. From its eastern
extremity on the Arkansas River, in Township 2,
south, to its most western point in Township 2,
north, is fifty-four miles, and its greatest width on
the line between Ranges 15'and 16, west, is thirty
miles. This territory is divided into nineteen
municipal townships, included in which are twenty
postoffices.
The area of the county is 690 square miles, or
441,600 acres, of which the United States Gov-
ernment owns 62,000 acres, subject to homestead
entry; the State about 40,000, and the Iron
Mountain Railroad Company 90,000 acres. Nearly
fifteen per cent of its tillable land is in cultiva-
tion.
In the eastern part a generally level physical
asfDeot is j)i'esented, heavily timbered. Soil of a
light sandy loam predominates, except on the
Arkansas River, where it is darker and heavier, and
exceedingly fertile, being unexcelled in the pro-
duction of corn and cotton. The central portion
is more broken, the soil here being of a red sandy
and gravelly nature, except on the bottom lands of
the Saline River, and is admirably adapted for the
raising of fi'uits, corn, cotton and vegetables.
Strawberries and peaches are also produced very
early in the season. The county's western portion
is mountainous; here the soil is a red sand and
gravel, and it is well watered by the tributaries of
the Saline.
The Saline River traverses the central portion
of the territory, in a direction somewhat from
northwest to southeast. Its tributaries. North
Fork, Alum Fork, Middle Fork and South Fork,
entering the county on the borders of the north-
west, central, and southwestern parts, converge
and form this river about three miles northwest of
Benton, and that stream flows on through the
county.
Lands on the Saline and its tributaries are ex-
cellent for farming purposes. The uplands are
fairly timbered, while the valleys are in many
places an unbroken forest, in which some of the
finest timber in the State can be found. Oak,
ash, hickory, walnut and yellow pine are the lead-
ing varieties, though many other kinds, equally
important and useful, abound.
Almost the entire mountainous portion of the
county is underlaid with valuable minerals, show-
ing traces of gold, nickel, silver, cobalt, iron,
manganese, copper, lead, zinc, sulphur, arsenic,
antimony, graphite, steatite, granite, kaolin, pot-
ter's clay and fire clay.
The predominating minerals so far as devel-
oped are nickel, sand carbonate and steotite (soap
stone). Some efforts are being made to disclose
these various storehouses of nature, and utilize the
riches which are only awaiting human appropria-
tion.
Rabbit Foot Mine, two and one-half miles north-
west of Benton, on Saline River, yields nickel and
most of the other minerals found in the county,
242
HISTOKY OF ARKANSAS.
but the principal ore is nickel. The future pros-
pects of this mine are very promising. It is
owned and operated by Col. S. H. AVhitthorne, of
Benton, mention of whom is made in subsequent
pages.
The American Mine, located in the extreme
western portion of the country, has yielded sand
carbonate and a considerable showing of gold.
Steatite of a superior quality is found in vari-
ous localities. Wallis' Mine, twelve miles north
of Benton, in Beaver Township, has been partially
developed, and shows an exhaustless bed of the
finest quality of steatite. Potter's clay of a good
quality is found in the central part of the county.
Ever since 1866 pottery has been manufactured in
the vicinity, but the business was greatly enlarged
in 1873, and from that period the present exten-
sive interests properly date. There are now seven
good factories, producing various grades of ware,
and, as this is at present a leading manufacturing
industry, large shipments are constantly being
made to the outside world.
The agricultural productions of the county for
the year 1879, as shown by the United States Census
Reports in 1880, were as follows: Indian corn,
292.628 bushels; oats, 38,046 bushels; wheat,
7,589 bushels; hay, 178 tons; Irish potatoes,
7,682 bushels; sweet potatoes, 22,949 bushels;
tobacco, 9,418 pounds; cotton, 5,075 bales. The
average yield of seed cotton is 1,000 pounds per
acre; wheat, 16 bushels; corn, 30 bushels, and
oats, 50 bushels, while the vegetable production is
enormous.
What more need be said in indicating to the
would-be immigrant Saline County's desirability as
a place of residence? It offers a natural wealth
hardly exceeded; its attractions rest upon favor-
able facts impossible to dispute; society is of that
order which surrounds moral, law-loving and law-
abiding individuals; climatic and atmospheric con-
ditions are all that need be asked; and here may
the worthy, enterprising citizen, by application and
manifested energy, obtain that just recognition
which at all times is an incentive to honorable liv-
ing and a benefit to any community.
Wilburn Hensley Allen, farmer and stock raiser
of Shaw Township, Saline County, Ark. , first saw
the light of day on November 4, 1848, in the
little town of Benton, Ark. His parents, William
D., born April 14, 1811, died December 6, 1871,
and Rhoda (Ramsey) Allen, born May 25, 1820,
died June 3, 1880, were among the very early
settlers of Benton, coming to that town in 1847.
They were natives, respectively, of North Carolina
and Georgia. William Allen moved to Georgia
when but a young man, met the mother of our
subject, and was married November 18, 1837. He
also spent three months in the Florida War, taking
part in the battle of Pea River, and being one of
the force that removed the Indians from the terri-
tory. After his marriage he lived in Georgia
seven years, after which, moving to Mississippi, he
made that State his home until 1847. Coming to
this State at the latter date he engaged in farming.
He purchased the place one and one-half miles
from Benton, known now as the Allen field, and
later moved to Benton and opened a blacksmith
shop which he ran in connection with farming.
He was for years a member of the Masonic lodge
at Benton, and together with his wife was a mem-
ber of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
During the war he served in the commissary
department of the Confederate army, but saw no
active field service. After the Federal capture of
Little Rock he followed the army in company with
Col. Crawford. About 1863 he moved to Oua-
chita County for greater safety, returning to Saline
when the war was closed. He spent the latter
part of his life in retirement, dying from dropsy
at the age of sixty. He was the father of ten
children: George W. (born Sejjtember 2, 1839,
deputy sheriff of Grant County), Cynthia (wife of
H. S. Glenn, a merchant of Benton, born Novem-
ber 27, 1841, died June 28, 1863), Sarah (wife of
Dr. John W. Cole, of Shaw Township, born Jan-
uary 15, 1844), Thomas J. (born January 17,
1846, died May 8, 1860), W. H. (the subject of
this sketch), John W. (born January 11, 1851,
died September 19, 1853), Uriah E. (born Sep-
tember 29, 1853, died August 20, 1868), Joseph
B. (born September 25, 1856, died November 25,
SALINE COUNTY.
243
1857), and Benjamin F.-(born November 3, 1858,
farms in Shaw Township). W. H. Allen was
reared on a farm, spending his school days in the
common schools of Saline County. At the age of
twenty-one he began life for himself, bat lived
with his parents until his marriage, October 18,
1877. His wife was formerly Miss Mickey C.
Kinkead, daughter of Rev. James and Susana
(Hughes) Kinkead, residents of Farmington, Mo.
The father, a Cumberland Presbyterian minister,
was born Jul)- 6, 1807, resided, labored and mar-
ried in Missouri, dying near Irondale September
27, 1864. Hi.s wife, Susana (Hughes) Kinkead,
was born November 25, 1817, in Missouri, the
daughter of John Hughes, a farmer and stock
raiser, and an early settler of Southeastern Mis-
souri. She was married the first time September
15, 1835. She survived her husband, and some
years after his death moved to Illinois, where she
married Spruce Boggs. Two years later she
again became a widow. She remained in Illinois
until 1874, then coming to Saline County, where
she died May 18, 1879, at the home of her son-in-
law, Wilburn Allen, on the Tomlinson place. Mrs.
W. H. Allen was the eighth in a family of ten
children: Eliza J. (born August 31, 1838, wife of
John Bean, a farmer of Irondale, Mo., died about
1875), J. M. (born May 18. 1840, is a mechanic,
and lives in Mississippi), Mary N. (born February
6, 1842), James C. (born December 23, 1843, is
deputy constable of Big Rock Township, Pulaski
County, but lives in Benton, on the Hackersmith
farm), Alex. E. (born July 4, 1846, is constable of
Big Rock Township, and lives in Little Rock),
Susan S. (born August 8, 1848, is the wife of
Newton Maxey, a mechanic of Oak Grove, 111. ),
Elizabeth (born October 4, 1850, is the wife of D.
C. Hays, postmaster at Benton, Ark. ). Marthy F.
(born June 12, 1854, is the wife of Hays Maxwell,
a farmer and mechanic of Irondale, Mo. ), Mickey
C. (wife of W. H. Allen, born September 8, 1850,
and died September 30, 1889), and Eleanor (born
November 6, 1858). Mr. Allen and wife became
the parents of Clara Lillian (born August 16,
1858, died October 4, 1879), Finis Ewing (born
December 9, 1879), Fiamen W. (born October 12,
1881, died August 6, 1882), Mickey Gertrude
(born October 30, 1883), and George C. (born
August 14, 1886). After his marriage Mr. Allen
began farming on an inheritance of eighty acres
from his father, on the Saline River, to which he
added ten acres. In 1879 or 1880 he sold his
farm and bought the eighty acres on which he now
lives. He has about forty acres under cultivation,
and has erected some excellent farm buildings.
During the years 1887 and 1888 he was engaged as
lumber contractor for the Brushe mill. Later he
held an interest, and on September 9, 1889, sold
out to his partner, S. H. Glover, and is now
engaged as sawyer at the same mill. He is a
member of the school board of his township, and
votes with the Democratic party, though taking
very little interest in politics. He is fi member of
Benton Lodge No. 34, A. F. & A. M. , and (as did
his wife) belongs to the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church. Mr. Allen is classed with the most pub-
lic-spirited men of Saline County. He is a liberal
donator to all worthy public enterprises, and a
zealous worker for the welfare of his adopted home.
J. W. Ash by, prominently identified with Ben-
ton's interests, was born in Floyd County, Ga. ,
August 17, 1842, andis the son of John and Rebecca
(Woodruff) Ashby, natives of Virginia and North
Carolina, respectively. John Ashby was born in
Princess Ann County, on October 11, 1800, and
was of the old Virginia stock. He was reared to
the occupation of farming, which he continued all
his life, and in the fall of 1858 emigrated to Clai-
borne Parish, North Louisiana, where he spent the
remainder of his days. Himself and wife were de-
vout members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
He was called to his long home in 1804, and his
wife (who married again) survived until 1878. J.
W. Ashby is the eighth of a family of ten children,
six of whom are still living: Elizabeth (wife of
Mr. Johnson, a prosperous farmer of Texas), G.
W. (a farmer living in Louisiana), Annette (wife
of J. F. Hamiter, a farmer of Hempstead County,
Ark. ), Amanda (wife of Robert Scott, a farmer,
and one of the early settlers of Saline County, hav-
ing lived here since 1834), Nancy (wife of George
King, a farmer and stockman of Texas), J. M.
244
HISTOEY OF ARKANSAS.
(the eldest of the brothers, a man of family, who
died in the army at Monroe, La., in 1863), William
(a farmer, living in Saline County, Ark.), Lucin-
da (who married John Nelson, and died in 1872),
William (died at the age of thirty-four, in 1867, in
Louisiana), and Mary (died in childhood while her
parents were living in Georgia). J. W. was edu-
cated in the common schools of Georgia, and was
reared to farm life, but in his early manhood
learned the carpenter and blacksmith trade. At
the age of twenty-two, and in the sjiring of 1862,
he enlisted in Company G, Twelfth Louisiana
Infantry, Col. Scott's regiment. He served three
years and four months, participating in the engage-
ments of Baker's Creek, Jackson, and the bombard-
ment of Fort Hudson. He was with Hood on his
Georgia and Tennessee campaigns, and while in
the latter was in the battles of Franklin and Nash-
ville, then in the encounter at Kingston and later
on at Bentonville. He was j)aroled at Greensboro,
N. C. , on April 26, 1865. After the close of the
war Mr. Ashby returned to North Louisiana to
take care of his mother and her family, and did
not leave her until her second marriage. He then
came to Arkansas and there won his bride, Miss
Mary Scott, their marriage occurring in 1868.
Eeturning with his bride to Louisiana, he remained
there till December, 1869, when the temptation to
get back to Arkansas became so great that he
again located and purchased a large farm. This
place consisted of 120 acres of new land, with lit-
tle or no improvement, but this did not discourage
him in the least, for he immediately set to work
and cleared forty acres and erected good buildings
and made so many improvements that old surround-
ings would hardly have been recognized. For
thirteen years Mr. Ashby remained on this farm,
but in 1882 he moved to Benton and erected a
home, oj^ening a store of general merchandise, and
also engaging in the undertaker's business, which
he has successfully conducted to the present time.
In 1885 he sold his land, and since then has devoted
his whole attention to the mercantile business.
Mr. and Mrs. Ashby have tonr children: Edna
(born March 3, 1871, at present attending boarding
school in Kentucky), Bertie (born July 7, 1874, at-
tending school at Benton),. Pearl (born October 13,
1879, also at school!, and Robert (born February
13, 1883). Mr. Ashby is a member of Benton
Lodge No. 1319, and himself and wife are members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Benton.
He honors the Democratic party with his vote, but
is conservative on the subject of politics. He has
served as a member of his school board and always
takes an active interest in any enterprise that is
for the good of his town or county, and is a man
that has the respect of the entire community.
Philij) J. Bradtield. Prominent among the
enterprising and popular men of this section is
Philip J. Bradtield, a well known merchant and
farmer, and the son of John H. and Sarah E. (Bur-
nett) Bradtield. He was born in Hamilton County,
Tenn., May 19, 1861. John H. Bradtield was also
a native of Tennessee, his birth occurring June 16,
1830. He was reared a farmer, and made that
his life's work: a man of common school educa-
tion, for years he held the position of magistrate,
being a Democrat, politically, but not an enthusiast.
He was married September 10, 1857, to Miss Bur-
nett, and they were the parents of ten children,
five of whom survive, as follows: William C.
(a farmer of Jefferson Township), J. L. (a farmer,
but now a student of Benton Collegiate High
School), Louisa E. (living with her mother on the
old homestead in this county), Leon L. (also at
home) and Philip (the subject of this sketch). Mr.
Bradtield, Sr. , came with his family to this State,
by rail as far as Memphis, thence on board the
"Thomas H. Allen," a river steamer via the Mis-
sissippi and Arkansas Rivers, landing at Little
Rock, February 20, 1871. From the latter place
Shaw Township, Saline County, was easily reached,
and after a residence there of two years they
moved to Jefferson Township, where the father
bought a tract of 182 acres of partly improved
land. He added to this from time to time until
he owned 253 acres, improving it to a great ex-
tent, and at the time of his death, in 1881, was pre-
paring to build a new residence. He was a mem-
ber of the Masonic fraternity, and respected by
all who knew him. His estimable wife still lives
at the old homestead, and is a member of the
SALINE COUNTY.
245
Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Philip J. was
reared to farm life, and spent his younger days in
the common schools of Saline County. When in
his twentieth year he took the management of his
mother's farm. On February 5, 1884, he led to
the hymeneal altar Miss Faithie A. Koberts,
daughter of T. J. Roberts, and a native. of Sa-
line County. To this union two children have
been born: Ida May (born March 6, 1885) and
Essie Maud (born April 17, 1888). After his mar-
riage Mr. Bradfield resumed farming and home-
steaded 120 acres adjoining his mother's place,
which he immediately began to improve. He also
owns a part of the old homestead. In 1887, pur-
chasing a dne stock of goods, he opened a store
on his farm, and since that time has conducted his
mercantile business with encouraging success. In
1886 he was elected justice of the peace in his
township, and still holds that ofiSce, to the entire
satisfaction of those concerned. He is president
of the school l)oard and a member of the board of
equalization for Saline County, in session at Ben-
ton. He is a member of Paran Lodge No. 309,
A. F. & A. M., also of Jefferson Lodge No. 55,
I. O. G. T. , in which latter he has held nearly
every office. Mr. and Mrs. Bradfield are members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mr.
Bradfield votes with the Democrats, and exerts
considerable influence in the township and county
politically. He has given not a little attention to
journalistic work since 1881, attaining an enviable
reputation in that line. He first began this work
as local correspondent for the Benton Courier, and
is still holding that position. In January, 1885, he
wrote an article for the "Farmer and Mechanic,"
entitled "Oar Neglected Resources," which was
published in the regular edition of that paper.
It was re-published in the 50,000 edition of the
paper, and the attention it received, together with
the criticisms, which were all that one could de-
sire, combined to show that the writer was of un-
usual ability and an honor to the literary world.
He was appointed April 2, 1887, as special cor-
respondent of the Daily Arkansas Gazette, both
by mail and wire, and was sent by that paper to
visit Montgomery County, Ark., during the mining
excitement there in 1887. He also prepared the
article for the Bear City edition of the Gazette,
and has contributed largely to other papers, the
Benton Review, and Farm and Fireside, of Spring-
field, Ohio. He has served as a member of the
Democratic central committee for the last six
years. Mr. Bradfield is one of those young men
rapidly coming to the front, and the citizens of
Jefferson Township have just cause to feel proud
of such a one in their midst. He is pixblic-spirited,
and takes an active part in, and gives his earnest
support to all enterprises for the good of the public.
William Brents, at one time a leading farmer
and well known hotel keeper in Saline County,
but at present retired, was born in what is now
Marshall County, Tenn. , in the year 1811, and is
a son of Thomas and Jane (McWhurter) Brents,
natives of Kentucky, but who were very early set-
tlers of Marshall (formerly Lincoln) County, Tenn.,
where they spent the remainder of their lives.
The father was a successful farmer and a promi-
nent citizen of that county, and in religious belief
was a member of the Christian Church. He
served with distinction in the Revolutionary War,
and was with Gen. Jackson at the battle of New
Orleans. His father was John Brents, one of the
early settlers of Kentucky, where his death oc-
curred at an advanced age. The maternal grand-
father, James McWhurter, was of Irish origin,
and also fought in the War of 1812. William
Brents, the principal of this sketch, and the fourth
of four sons and four daughters born to his par-
ents, was reared on his father's farm. He was
educated in the public schools of his birthplace
and acquired a good English training, being in-
structed in the duties of farm life by his father.
When twenty-one years of age he was married to
Mahala, a daughter of Robert and Lucy Ewiug,
l)y whom he had ten children, of whom one son
and three daughters are yet living: Harriet (widow
of Frank Shoemaker), Malvina (wife of Thomas
Delamer, residing in Texas), Robert E., and SifF
(wife of Alfred Trammell, residing near Eldorado).
Mr. Brents lost his first wife, and in January,
1868, was married to Mrs. Xalisco Dickinson, an
estimable widow, and daughter of Robert Strib-
246
HISTOEY OF ARKANSAS.
ling. This lady was born in Georgia, but came to
Arkansas with her parents when three years old,
and settled in Hot Sj)ring County, where her
father and mother both died. One child was born
to her marriage with Mr. Brents, Lily. Mr.
Brents was one of the first settlers of Saline Coun-
ty, haviug come here in 1844, and he has made it
his home ever since. The year following his ar-
rival he purchased a farm near Benton, which he
still owns, and has accumulated altogether about
550 acres of fertile land, with some 200 acres un-
der cultivation, all of it being the result of his in-
dividual effort and good management. He is noted
above all things for his enterprise, as is illustrated
by the fact that on the second day of his arrival
he opened up a hotel, which was afterward
one of the most noted in Central Arkansas, con-
tinuing in that business uutil the war. After that
event he turned his attention to farming with equal
success until his retirement from active life. His
industry and energy have won the respect and ad-
miration of the entire community, and he can now
rest content with the knowledge that he has done
his share toward the development and improve-
ment of Saline County. In politics he is a stanch
Democrat, having cast his lirst presidential vote
for Jackson in 1832, and for every presidential
candidate since that time excejit during the war.
Before that period he followed the trade of har-
ness and saddle -maker in connectioa with his other
interests.
James A. Brown, a well known, influential citi-
zen, and one of the most prominent planters of
Saline County, was born in Lincoln County, Tenn.,
in 1829, and is a son of John and Nancy Brown,
born in North Carolina in 1807 and in Tennessee
in 1825, respectively. The parents were married
in Lincoln County, and a few years after their
union, moved to Fayette County, West Tenn.,
where they resided until the year 1853, then
coming to Arkansas. The father was a prosjserous
farmer during his life and for many years a cap-
tain of militia. His wife, a devout Christian
woman, died in 1853, and he followed her two
years later. He was a son of James Brown, of
North Carolina, one of the earliest settlers of Lin-
coln County, Tenn., who resided in that State the
remainder of his life. The paternal grandfather,
James Brown, came from Ireland to America in
his boyhood and first settled in North Carolina,
and afterward in Lincoln County, Tenn., where he
died in 1830. Champion Blithe, the maternal
grandfather, was a Kentuckian by birth, and in an
early day fought the Spaniards at Santa Day. The
remainder of his life was spent on the frontier of
Texas fighting against savage tribes. James A.,
the second of six children born to his parents, re-
ceived his education in the log cabin schools of his
day. He started out in the world for himself
when only fourteen years old, and at the age of
eighteen was assistant overseer of a large planta-
tion, having entire charge of over 100 slaves. In
1851 he was married in Shelby County, Tenn., to
Virginia, a daughter of Payton and Sarah Fletcher,
of Kentucky, who settled in Tennessee after their
marriage, the father becoming one of the largest
planters in Shelby County. Mr. Fletcher was also
a soldier in one of the Indian wars. Mr. and
Mrs. Brown were the parents of seven children, of
whom two only are living: William H. (born in
1857, educated in Benton, Ark. , and Shelby County,
Tenn., and married in 1888 to Miss Edna E.
Hooker, of Shelby County), and Thomas Jeft'erson,
(born in 1864, also educated in Benton, Ark. , and
Shelby County, Tenn. , and at Little Rock ; married
March 7, 1889, to Miss Maggie L. Wilder, of
Georgia, who came to Benton, Ark. , with her
parents, the latter now residing in Texas). The
following year after his marriage, Mr. Brown came
to Arkansas and settled in the wilds about twenty
miles below Little Rock, which was then the nearest
postofiSce and tiading point. Here he opened up
a small clearing and built himself a slab cabin,
and one of his greatest pleasures is to recall the
many happy hours spent in that primitive habita-
tion. The country was overrun with wild animals
at that time and many a night he was forced to get
out of bed and let the dogs in to keep them from
being eaten by the wolves. During the first year
he killed twenty- two bear besides a quantity of
other game, and on one occasion stood in his door
with a shot-gun and killed seven wild turkeys at
SALINE COUNTY.
247
one shot. Wild deer were then more plenty than
the domestic hog of to-day, and the delicious
venison now sold for exorbitant prices was then a
common fare. Mr. Brown was an ardent hunter,
but never let his fascination for that sport interfere
with his other duties, and the severest weather did
not hinder him from improving his farm and build-
ing up his place. He cultivated about 250 acres
of line bottom land, which, on his arrival had been
covered with a dense growth of timber, and has
done perhaps as much hard work as any man in
Arkansas. He now owns 3,200 acres of tine bot-
tom land, having placed some 600 acres under
cultivation, all accumulated by his own energy and
judicious management;